Foundations can improve soldiers' welfare

Foundations can improve soldiers' welfare

JAKARTA (JP): Army chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
admitted that professionalism among soldiers was at its lowest
ebb and stressed that efforts to boost moral and welfare,
including the presence of business oriented foundations, should
be supported.

Endriartono pointed out that it was the government's
responsibility to improve soldiers' welfare but given the current
state of the nation where resources are limited such concerns
were not a priority.

"Soldiers can carry out their duty professionally if they are
disciplined and have good welfare," Endriarto, a 1971 graduate of
the Indonesia Military Academy, said.

In was in this context that Endriartono defended the
activities of Army Foundations.

He pointed out that Foundations such as the Kartika Eka Paksi
foundation can help improve soldiers' welfare.

The Foundation cooperates with private sector companies in
many sectors such as timber and aviation.

Endriartono said optimizing such foundations can help raise
soldiers' welfare. He further guaranteed that there would be no
leaks or misuse of the foundation's funds.

Endriartono expressed his readiness to conduct the auditing of
the foundation and report it transparently to the public.

"I would never 'touch' the funds for my own interest or to
enrich myself. And to those who try to misuse it, I warn them not
to," Endriartono asserted.

Endriartono acknowledged growing public pressure for the
Indonesian Military (TNI) to cease business activities, "but I
have to be assured that my soldiers' health and welfare are taken
care of".

"Can the government or others guarantee it?," Endriartono
asked.

Endriartono admitted that he fully realized the decline in
professionalism amongst his soldiers after taking over the post
of Army chief on Oct. 9.

"Army professionalism is at its lowest level due to the
disproportional burden on them, such as assisting the police to
maintain security," he remarked.

"I also found that soldiers have poor ability in using
military equipment, such as artillerymen who cannot shoot well".

"I also found that soldiers in some platoons have no idea how
many and what kind of rifles are in his unit" Endriartono said.

In promoting the program to improve military professionalism,
Endriartono wanted to hold regular military courses to exercise
and to reeducate the soldiers.(02)