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)