Fix ABRI

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