Back to basics

Back to basics

From Jurnal Indonesia

We are continuing to worry about military reshuffles in this reform era. Many problems have brought about friction in the Indonesian Military. It's unavoidable that several officers have risen to higher positions, and not only as regional military commander.

But some think the rise of officers is negative. One of the views emerging from the community is the accusation is that through the promotions in the military President Abdurrahman has taken a "de-Wiranto-nization" step.

The basis for this perception is reasonable if viewed only from the point regarding which actors must be moved from those strategic positions. At a glance, the de-Wiranto-nization accusation is reasonable.

What we worry about is whether the reason for the replacement of the commander of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) is related to the disclosure of alleged past corruption in the Kostrad institution. There is talk that the said commander was replaced because he disclosed the case, which allegedly involved previous commanders.

Actually, the step to disclose this case is an act of amar maruf nahi mungkar (favoring the virtue and shunning the evil). Unfortunately, some people think this disclosure will reveal shamefulness. People will not only consider the individuals as bad but also the institution. So measures have been taken to save the institution and the individuals.

If this is left unsolved, the reform agenda containing the changes of the way we think and how we do things won't be successful. Now let's get back to basics, to our own inner conscience. If that step is right or wrong, only our conscience can answer. And usually the answer is in our hearts, not expressed.

SIGIT PAMUNGKAS

Jakarta