Gen. Feisal says national stability still relevant
Gen. Feisal says national stability still relevant
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said
national stability is still relevant in the nation-building
process as Indonesia embarks on its second long term development
program.
In his address on the eve of ABRI's 49th anniversary last
night, Feisal said that national stability is both an end and a
means in national development.
"As an end, stability is one of the aspects of our national
goal which is a just, prosperous and welfare society.
"As a means, national stability is an approach in our
endeavors to realize the national goal, that is a secure and
peaceful nation."
The commemoration of the ABRI's anniversary will peak today
with a military ceremony and traditional parade by Armed Forces
units and also a flyover display by Air Force aircraft. President
Soeharto, himself a retired Army general and the supreme
commander of ABRI, will lead the gala ceremony.
The organizers of the anniversary have stressed that this
year's ceremonies will be kept simple since a bigger one is
expected next year when the military turns 50.
The military's and the government's strong concern with
national stability has often been targeted by some of their
critics.
Human rights organizations, among these critics, said
stability has often been achieved at the expense of stifling
democracy and people's initiatives.
Feisal, whose speech was broadcast nationwide through the TVRI
last night, also gave his order of the day to ABRI's troopers.
He stressed the need for the military to always remain "at
one" with the people.
"ABRI was born out of the people who were fighting for their
independence from the colonial rulers. Then, together with the
people, ABRI has been filling in that independence.
"This has given a unique identity to ABRI which must be
embedded in the mind of every trooper, that in carrying out his
duty, he is a fighting soldier, a people's soldier and a national
soldier."
This, he added, means that ABRI should fight alongside the
people to attain the goal of independence which is a just and
prosperous nation.
He also underlined ABRI's role in socio-political affairs
besides its role in national security and defense.
Greater democracy
Meanwhile the chairman of ABRI's faction in the House of
Representatives yesterday said that the military will use its
socio-political role to push towards greater democracy in
Indonesia.
Abu Hartono told reporters yesterday that ABRI has taken the
role of "stabilizer and dynamizer" in the country's political
life.
"It means that we have an equal share with other socio-
political forces in Indonesia to maintain and strengthen national
resilience," Hartono said.
"As a political stabilizer, ABRI has a duty to promote
democracy, push for constitutional life and avoid the emergence
of unconstitutional forces," he said as quoted by Antara.
ABRI does not take part in general elections but it
automatically gets 100 of the 500 seats in the House of
Representatives.
Commenting on criticisms of the political privilege ABRI
enjoys, Hartono struck back; "Would the situation be really
better if ABRI was not involved in politics?"
"If ABRI was not involved in the development of the
constitutional life... would the situation become better?" he
asked.
ABRI's presence in the House means that the military takes
part in the country's political decision-making process.
He stressed that ABRI's socio-political function should not be
judged by the number of its officers seconded to civilian
positions such as cabinet ministers, provincial governors or
regents.
"Many of them reached their positions through democratic
elections. So what's the problem?" (emb/par)