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)