Fix ABRI

A host of events has demonstrated the atrocities that the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) has committed against the Indonesian people, its fellow countrymen: the shooting to death of four students of Trisakti University in May 1998; the recently exposed massacre, torture and rapes of thousands of Acehnese in military operations in Aceh; similar atrocities in Irian Jaya and East Timor; and the abductions of anti-Soeharto activists as well as the elimination (murder?) of a number of people by members of the Army's Special Force, under the instruction of Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto. Add to these the murders of labor activist Marsinah in Sidoarjo, journalist Udin in Yogyakarta and street singer Gilang in Solo. How could all these atrocities be performed?

All these atrocities have been committed by young ABRI soldiers of the post-1945 generation under the command of generals who graduated from the Indonesian Academy of Armed Forces or the National Military Academy and generally considered as being more educated and understanding law and practicing Pancasila better than their predecessors.

I believe these atrocities reflect the arrogant attitude adopted by ABRI because it believes that it is superior to civilians. To maintain power, the Soeharto regime intentionally fostered this attitude in ABRI and encouraged members to commit acts of repression against the people.

These atrocities are comparable to acts committed by the Kenpetai (military police) during the Japanese occupation period in Indonesia and by green-beret troops of Westerling/APRA deployed by the Dutch colonial rule. These atrocities were committed to repress any Indonesians daring enough to oppose the colonial rule or their indigenous rulers.

If ABRI wishes to improve its tarnished image, at home and abroad, its leadership must take firm action. Weed out elements responsible for these contemptible atrocities. All officers involved must be brought before the Officers Honor Council or be court-martialled. They must be removed from their post and must not be allowed to continue enjoying rank promotion.

In short, they must be discharged from any service. Then, all doctrines of defense and security and the function of ABRI, including its dual function, must be reviewed. Everything smacking of totalitarianism and authoritarianism must be scrapped. The original function of ABRI must be restored: ABRI must serve as a means of defense and security for the country and the nation. It must not serve the interest of the ruling elite. ABRI must not interfere with political affairs but it may be represented in the People's Consultative Assembly.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta