Armed Forces awake to 'formless organizations'

A recent spate of violent events, including the burning of the house of a murder suspect in the eastern Jakarta district of Bambu Apus, has taken many by surprise. In the background, the authorities are now warning of the influence of "formless organizations". Koesparmono Irsan, a retired police general, and formerly deputy chief of operations, states his views on this phenomenon.

Question: Why do people tend to react in such a violent manner after criminal incidents nowadays?

Answer: This is the reflection of their lack of faith in the law. They are not satisfied with the present situation. Dissatisfaction is aroused because they are prejudiced about the punishment to be meted out by the law; it is often disproportionate to the degree of crime.

Q: Is the reason for their dissatisfaction justified?

A: That might be so, just look at that gambling case and the regular raids on gamblers, with nobody booked in the end. Questions are being asked by the people. And this is not to mention the court trials where culprits are usually given only light sentences. What is more, since the public is in an erratic state, the authorities should watch out for parties who could profit from this labile situation.

In the meantime, the idea that criminals seem to enjoy protection from the authorities has taken a strong footing among the public. Just look at how criminals are seemingly untouchable during investigations, or how they get free health care if they fall ill. At the same time, the victims of crimes, their next of kin, and even their neighbors may have to face great inconvenience.

In this situation, "formless organizations" will profit from the prevailing unrest. They will pour gasoline on the fire, and the people will take the law into their own hands.

Q: In the case of the murder of the Rohadi family in Bambu Apus, East Jakarta, why did racial enmity ensue against the suspects who originated from East Nusa Tenggara?

A: I don't believe that racial sentiment was alive in the neighborhood of Bambu Apus, particularly in the environs of the Rohadi family. It seems that there are certain people who would like the people to look at this crime as a racial conflict. I believe that the people on the site never nourished the idea, nor did they plan to take a hostile stance toward certain ethnic groups.

The main reason why people reacted that way has to do with law and crime rather than with racial hatred.

Q: Then, what is the connection between the recent crime and the so-called formless organizations?

A: These "formless organizations" actually profit from criminal excesses. They may not act as criminals; they don't murder. But, they manipulate the prevailing situation. For instance, the murder of the Rohadi family, was soon followed with the racial conflict.

The same applies to the case in Jambi, where earthquake victims also took the law into their own hands. After the catastrophe, they were in a depressed state of mind. Then some incident occurred which stirred their emotions. Then the conflict between them and security officials resulted in loss of life. What began as a minor misunderstanding should never have grown into a conflict with fatal results.

These happenings are a reflection of a feeling of insecurity on the part of the people. They are anxious. In this state, they were fed rumors and became irrational. This is certainly the work of "formless organizations" intent on attaining their goals. Their aim is obviously to cause disintegration of the social fabric and the nation. They are applying the tactics and evil strategies of the communists.

Q: So you see communism as remaining a threat.

A: Yes, we should always be on the alert for the communists. But, this doesn't mean that non-communists are refraining themselves from applying "formless organization" tactics. The authorities have to be watchful too. We shouldn't fall under the spell of the assumption that "formless organization" is equivalent to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). There are other potential threats opposing the state ideology Pancasila, apart from PKI, which are raising their heads and are equally dangerous.

Q: What do you mean by other potential threats?

A: Extremists or organizations opposing Pancasila, which, threaten the nation's unity. They are, just like the PKI, anti- establishment. So, the authorities should be on the alert. If they are communists, just blast them away. It could very well be that this recent phenomenon is just the PKI in a different form, just like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Q: How do you see the "formless organizations" as a potential danger to the unity of the nation?

A: The movement of "formless organizations" is clearly a threat to the nation. We have to prevent the disintegration of this unified nation by such organizations. There have been, so far, two types of movements among the masses: those which are willing to accommodate and those which are difficult to get to the negotiating table. The statement concerning "formless organizations" is, indeed, still a hypotheses. It still needs further investigation.

Q: If this is all still hypothetical, why is there so much fuss about "formless organizations"?

A: Indeed, this shows that the Armed Forces's early warning system is at work. You mustn't think that ABRI is doing this just to make up an issue. Not at all. The hypotheses about a possible danger threatening our nation's unity came from the Armed Forces circles not from among the politicians. It is like preparing for bad weather; to have a raincoat and an umbrella ready. Whether it is going to rain or not, is another matter. (aks)

Maj. Gen. (ret) Koesparmono Irsan is now rector of Bhayangkara University, Jakarta.