Govt told to support military

Govt told to support military

JAMBI: Former minister of defense Mahfud MD said the
government should support the military in its efforts to improve
professionalism so the military would stop meddling in political
and economic affairs.

Speaking at a seminar on civil society, Mahfud said
politicians played a large role in shaping the military into a
professional institution.

The former minister said the military should focus on its main
function of defending the country, particularly following the
elimination of the military's dual function, the separation of
the National Police from the military, the liquidation of the
social and political affairs agencies in the central government
and in the regions and the repeal of the permission given to
military officers to work in civilian institutions.

"We don't want to experience military dominance in this
country just because the civilian politicians fail to fulfill
their political roles in running this country. Therefore, the
civil-military relationship should be maintained and nurtured,"
Mahfud said. -- Antara