Elite army force told to secure 1997, 1998 elections
Elite army force told to secure 1997, 1998 elections
JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono yesterday ordered the Army's elite unit, Special Force Command (Kopassus), to help secure the general elections in 1997 and the presidential election the following year.
The two elections should proceed smoothly, safely and successfully, Hartono said at a military ceremony to mark the 43rd anniversary of Kopassus, the most fearsome combat force of the Army, at its headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta.
With its immense experience, the "Red Berets" must take the lead in securing the two major national events, he said, adding that Kopassus should also help ensure that people exercise their democratic rights and obligations.
Political analysts expect the 1997 and 1998 elections to be possible crucial turning points for Indonesia amidst speculations that President Soeharto, now 73 years old, might step aside after holding the reins since 1966.
Indonesia is scheduled to hold its seventh general elections in 1997 to elect members of the House of Representatives. The following year, the People's Consultative Assembly will convene to elect the country's president and vice president.
Hartono specifically asked Kopassus to intensify its strategic intelligence capability so that it could detect and deflect as early as possible any indication that national stability could be disrupted.
Kopassus spearheaded many military operations in the past, including campaigns to quash the communist forces in 1965 and separatist insurgences in Aceh, Irian Jaya, and East Timor.
It was also a Kopassus unit that was deployed to Don Muang airport in Bangkok, Thailand, to storm and free the passengers of a Garuda Indonesia airliner that was hijacked by Indonesian extremists in 1981.
The anniversary ceremony yesterday was highlighted by a display of self defense skills of Kopassus troopers and free fall parachuting demonstrations that was also joined by servicemen from Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
Hartono, an infantry officer, yesterday was made an honorary member of Kopassus, receiving a red beret and the force's belt and wings from Brig. Gen. Subagyo, the Kopassus chief.
Attending the ceremony were Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat, State Minister of People's Housing Akbar Tanjung, Chief of ABRI's General Affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono, Chief of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command Maj. Gen. Tarub, former chief of Udayana Military Command Maj. Gen. Sintong Panjaitan and Deputy Chief of National Police on Operation Affairs Maj. Gen. M.B. Hutagalung.
Amir Santoso, a political analyst and military watcher of the University of Indonesia, who was present at the ceremony, praised Hartono for attempting to secure the upcoming elections so early.
"I appreciate the precautions he has taken since the elections are both strategic and critical to the question of the national leadership," he said.
Brig. Gen. Subagyo later said he plans to request of Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung that Kopassus be allowed to wear the old red-based camouflage fatigues.
The old color was once the "pride" of Kopassus troopers, Subagyo told reporters.
A Kopassus spokesman explained that the red-based camouflage fatigues were replaced with black-based fatigues in 1984 at the instruction of the Army chief of staff of the time. He could not recall the reason for the change.
Meanwhile, President Soeharto in a written speech read during a reception to mark Kopassus anniversary warned Kopassus not to bask in its glorious past. "Your past achievements and the high professionalism you've managed to develop should not turn you into arrogant soldiers," according to the speech read by Gen. Feisal.
"This force has always been in the lead to defend this Pancasila-based republic from all threats and challenges that come from within and outside the country," Soeharto said. (rms)