ABRI's extended family meets at last

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Armed Forces' (ABRI) extended family met for the first time yesterday after thirty-two years of New Order government.

About 200 retired Armed Forces generals attended the meeting at the Armed Forces headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, to receive badges and certificates symbolizing their involvement in the establishment of ABRI's precursor, the People's Security Forces (BKR).

"This event is part of current ABRI leaders' efforts to bridge the feelings of the old ABRI generation and current ABRI leaders and members," Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution said in a speech marking the awarding of the badges and certificates to the retired generals.

"As the oldest living retired general, I call on current ABRI leaders and members to maintain the Armed Forces solidarity and the unity," the 78-year old Army general said in his speech.

Unable to hold back tears, Nasution said the Indonesian Armed Forces would not have become as big and strong as it is now without the people's support and help.

The delay in organizing the meeting was partly due the need to reconcile the political differences between former generals such as Nasution and the government.

The ceremony was also marked with an outpouring emotion between retired members and those who are still active.

Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat stood up and supported Nasution as the latter made his way to the podium to give his speech.

Among those attending the ceremony were Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Arief Kushariadi, Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Sutria Tubagus and National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo.

Sitting in the rows of retired generals were Gen. (ret) Maraden Panggabean, retired lieutenant generals Dadang Suprayogi, Solichin G.P., Achmad Tirtosudiro and Achmad Kemal Idris.

Also present were State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman, State Minister of Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi and Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Soeweno, who represented their relatives.

Hayono is the son of the late Maj. Gen. Mas Isman, while Mien Sugandhi represented her late husband Maj. Gen. Sugandhi and Inten represented her late father Brig. Gen. Kusen Wirohusodo.

The BKR, a coalition of various elements of society, was born a few days after Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1945. It was renamed the People's Soldiers (TKR) in October of the same year.

In line with increasing demands for a more professional force, the TKR became the Soldiers of the Republic of Indonesia on Jan. 24, 1946. It was eventually named the Indonesian Armed Forces on July 3, 1947.

Addressing the ceremony, Edi thanked the retired generals for their contributions to the development of the Indonesian Armed Forces, enabling it to use modern technology to become a strong military force.

Feisal said he was grateful that some of the retired generals could still accompany and guide current Armed Forces personnel as they prepared to enter the 21st century.

"With the help and guidance of our predecessors, we can expect current ABRI members to have the same vision and orientation as they had in the past.

"The era might change, but vision and orientation should not," he said. (imn)