Gen. Soemitro's legacy

Gen. Soemitro's legacy

The demise of (retired Gen.) Soemitro has left many of us with
indelible memories. To those who were directly involved in the
student movement of 1974, he remains known as a stern,
unpretentious and straightforward national security commander,
but also one who was close to students. His political adversaries
will probably remember this East Javanese man as a naive and
politically blind person.

During his time of active service, Soemitro was known as a
thoroughly loyal soldier. He would be enraged whenever protesting
students managed to penetrate the vicinity of the presidential
palace. "The honor of the head of state is above anything," he
would say. Yet, at the same time he tried to understand the
students' demands. Although he acted sternly against student
leaders such as Hariman Siregar, he also openly expressed his
admiration for them.

When the 1974 student protest movement began to swell, he was
urged by various parties, including President Soeharto, to deal
with the students firmly. He always refused in an amiable manner.
Soemitro's attitude was significant, considering that all this
took place at a time when settlement by force was still often
applied. Soemitro persisted in this attitude until the end of his
life. He accommodated students by tirelessly holding discussions
with them concerning the state of the country, and at the same
time reminding them constantly that change must be brought about
in a constitutional manner.

What, then, is the legacy which Soemitro left Indonesian
people, especially students whom he considered to be the motor of
change? Among Soemitro's important legacies are an open attitude
and a willingness to acknowledge students. This legacy is all the
more important at this moment, when students in almost every
region of the country are restlessly demanding change.

-- Republika, Jakarta