ABRI's extended family meets at last
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)