ABRI's dual function

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