Dual function of ABRI or democracy

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