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