Army to relaunch campaign to instill better discipline
Army to relaunch campaign to instill better discipline
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Army will relaunch the National
Discipline Campaign tomorrow in an attempt to instill better
discipline.
"We launched the National Discipline Campaign two years ago.
But our people's discipline has not shown any improvement," Army
Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto told Jakarta-based military
correspondents at the Army headquarters.
The nationwide Discipline Campaign was launched by President
Soeharto on May 20, 1995.
The campaign attempts to instill discipline in everyday
actions, such as the correct use of language, obedience to
traffic regulations, proper disposal of litter, queuing and
punctuality.
Wiranto said tomorrow's ceremony in Jakarta would be
highlighted by the induction of 100,000 campaign volunteers
throughout the country.
Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Robik Mukav said the ceremony would
be held at the Senayan East Parking Lot where 20,000 youths would
be installed as volunteers.
Wiranto said discipline was a key to Indonesia facing the
challenges of global competition.
"Only with strong discipline will Indonesia be able to reduce
internal problems, so we can concentrate our energy on global
competition," he said.
"Businessman Eddy Tansil escaped from prison because on-duty
prison guards were not disciplined," he said.
"How could they give Tansil a two-day vacation outside the
prison?" he asked, referring to the escape of the Golden Key
Group owner who fled from jail in May.
Tansil was sentenced to 20-years in jail for corruption in the
Rp 1.3 trillion (US$456.1 million) case involving the state-owned
Bank Pembangunan Indonesia. Tansil is still at large and believed
to have fled the country.
Wiranto blamed yesterday state problems as evolving from
people's undisciplinary actions.
He said the key to discipline was the enforcement of strict
penalties. But in practice it was often not easy to apply.
"It takes time for us (the government) to implement such
strong punishment," he said.
He noted a decree in the Jakarta administration which
stipulates a Rp 50,000 (US$17.5) fine for littering.
"It's still difficult because we don't have enough apparatus
to enforce the implementation," he said.
Wiranto challenged government officials to appropriately award
those who contribute to national discipline.
"Governors always race to give millions in bonuses to their
athletes for winning gold medals in the four-yearly National
Sports Tournament.
"But what do they give to people who help make the discipline
drive a success?" he asked.
Wiranto said persuasion and role models would be used to
promote the discipline campaign.
Asked whether the discipline drive would also scrutinize high-
ranking government officials, Wiranto said it would not be
possible for the Army to do that.
"We (the Army) will delegate the authority to higher officials
-- the Armed Forces chief, the coordinating minister for
political affairs and security or the President," he said.
Wiranto neglected to mention the disciplinary measures against
widespread corruption and colluding practices. (imn)