Dual function of ABRI or democracy
We all know that the Cendana family had the opportunity to be so powerful over a span of 32 years and did things which affected the entire people simply because of two strong pillars, the Functional Group (Golkar) and the dual function of the Armed Forces.
Even though Golkar has changed its name to the Golkar Party, or even a "super Golkar", the personnel remain the same old people with their characteristics of being good at talking sweet only and being unable to make words and action agree.
Unfortunately, most of our people, who are eligible voters, are still below the poverty line. When I spent some time chatting with some of them, I got the impression that their reasoning was simple but logical and that they did not understand what "democracy" was and did not realize, either, who had made them so poor. Therefore, the charity shown by Golkar, which has funds in abundance (God knows where they have come from) seems to attract these people. We know that the votes they will cast in the June 7 general election will be just the same as the votes that professors will cast. This is reason enough for us to have concerns about the result of the elections.
Another pillar, which is even stronger than the New Order/pro status quo forces, is the dual function of the Armed Forces. Basically, in terms of vision, the armed forces of any country is undemocratic. This may be said to be a characteristic of any armed forces the world over. In fact, a state should uphold the principle of democracy. Only when democracy is upheld will there be no room for corruption, collusion and nepotism. I once saw a picture of a U.S. training camp in a magazine. A big board beside the gate reads You live in the most democratic country in the world but going through this gate you will live in the least democratic place in the world. If you cannot accept this, you had better turn back and leave ... That's why in a truly democratic country, members of the armed forces are not permitted to take even a step into the sociopolitical provinces in the country in question. Just imagine what would happen to the United States, if the U.S. armed forces joined the political arena. Some quarters, including Hasnan Habib, has correctly stated that as long as the dual function of the Indonesian Armed Forces is practiced in Indonesia, this country will never become truly democratic. As long as the Armed Forces pursues its political interests, it is impossible for it to be neutral. (It can afford to be neutral only on paper). Without its dual function, the armed forces will always be loved by the people, even in the most difficult time. The problem is how members of the Armed Forces, who have authorization to carry guns, can be persuaded to abandon their dual function, which they have held for several decades now. The best we can do is to pray. "Power is sweet", so the old adage goes.
THOMAS P.T.
Bogor, West Java