ABRI's dual function

From Jayakarta

As I recall, three retired generals, including AH Nasution, have to a great length given explanations about the dual function of the Armed Forces (ABRI). Therefore it should be clear what ideas are behind the concept of ABRI's dual function, which came into existence in the 1950s.

Nasution further described that the concept of the dual function back then was different than to what it is today. The current practice does not really reflect the dual function concept, with the establishment of various extra-constitutional institutions such as the Internal Security Agency (Kopkamtib) and the Agency for the Coordination of Support for the Development of National Stability (Bakorstanas).

In the past, Nasution further explained, the President used to hold talks with the chiefs of staff. Now such talks no longer exist; monolog replaces dialog, leaving subordinates to do what they are told to do by the boss (Jayakarta, Sept. 30). The consequence of this system is that very often things are carried out by force, just to safeguard the boss' instructions, even though the action may be wrong.

The late Mohammad Hatta, the first vice-president of the republic, said in 1975 that our country was heading for a "law state." "A law state is still to be aimed for, and now we are still employing 'military power,' with the ultimate goal of upholding Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution," he said among other things.

A law state should hold the following three principles:

* To guarantee the independence of the judicial institutions in determining law certainty.

* To protect human rights, and

* To uphold democracy.

ANDI

Jakarta