ABRI never blinded by power, says Wiranto

BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto asserted here on Tuesday the military had never and would never be blinded by power.

He stated that the military had never thought of taking control of the country during the leadership crisis in May, saying ABRI remained committed to safeguarding a constitutional and peaceful leadership succession.

"It's evident that ABRI has its own character and is not easily swayed by pressure, especially during the state leadership succession last May," he said when opening a seminar on the Armed Forces role in the 21st century.

The three-day seminar is being held at the Armed Forces Staff and Command School.

Wiranto spoke of complex challenges facing the military in the 21st century, especially concerning democratization, human rights and the environment -- all major themes being touted by many of the country's new political parties.

"Such issues were launched not only by domestic political groups, but also by independent and internationally affiliated non-governmental organizations (NGOs)," he said, adding that some of the issues were being used by radical groups to revive "old ideologies".

Present at the opening ceremony were Army Chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Air Force Chief Vice Marshall Hanafie Asnan, National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi and Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Wiranto said ABRI was ready to redefine its dual function doctrine -- which gives it both security and sociopolitical roles -- to prepare itself for the challenges that lay ahead.

"ABRI is developing a new paradigm in that it does not always have to be at the forefront of the nation's political affairs and is ready to share its political role with non-ABRI partners," he said.

Seminar participants indicated strong support for a commitment to reform and a redefinition of ABRI's sociopolitical role.

"ABRI's dual function is quite an ideal concept. Yet, there have been some distortions in its implementation," said Bilveer Singh of the National University of Singapore. "ABRI should, therefore, make necessary changes in the concept."

Y.B. Mangunwijaya, a seminar participant, suggested that ABRI redefine the concept.

"ABRI members have been given the mandate to master the use of weapons and to be professional.

"Yet, the decision on when, where and how to use the weapons must be made by civilians," he said.

The new chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Bakin), Lt. Gen. (ret) Zaini Azhar Maulani, said ABRI must be able to support the country's democratization efforts.

A political observer of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University, Riswandha Imawan, said ABRI should have the political will to provide the space for democratization. For instance, the military should allow university students greater opportunities to engage in politics on campus.

The seminar, designed to help formulate the Armed Forces' role in the 21st century, was attended by 200 participants, including the Armed Forces' top brass, retired generals, public and religious figures, NGO activists and academicians.

The seminar features former National Police chief Gen. (ret) Awaloeddin Djamin, former National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) governor Lt. Gen. (ret) Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, former Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Harsudiyono Hartas, former ambassador to the United States Lt. Gen. (ret) Hasnan Habib, scholar Nurcholish Madjid and military observer Salim Said.

On a separate occasion, Wiranto confirmed that Maj. Gen. Johny L. Lumintang would fill the post of commandant-general of the Armed Forces Staff and Command School, which has been vacant since early last month when its former head, Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, was removed in connection with an ABRI investigation into the abduction of activists.

Lumintang had also replaced Prabowo as commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) following the resignation of former president Soeharto, though he held the post for only 18 hours before it was transferred to Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.

Wiranto said that Lumintang's shift was part of a massive reshuffling of top personnel in the Armed Forces, involving more than 50 high-ranking officers.

Armed Forces spokesman, Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif, said the move would also reassign Vice Marshall Achmad Sutjipto, now the commandant-general of the Armed Forces Academy, as the new deputy to the Navy chief; Maj. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, now chief of the Presidential Security Guard, to fill in the post vacated by Lumintang; and Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, former Jakarta military commander, as an advisor for political and security affairs to the Armed Forces commander.

Sjafrie will replace Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, who will become the new commander of the Army Staff and Command School. (43/imn)