Kamra and ABRI's prestige

Kamra and ABRI's prestige

The government has finally decided to take the middle road in
trying to overcome its security personnel shortage by forming a
40,000-strong people's security unit (Kamra). The government --
through Armed Forces Chief/Minister of Defense Gen. Wiranto --
had earlier expressed the intention of forming a civilian
militia, which raised a wave of controversies.

Our experience over the past few months, including during the
Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, has shown
that as long as our national police in particular, and the Armed
Forces (ABRI) in general, are unable as primary law enforcing
agents to win the respect of the people, it will be difficult to
expect the public to observe existing legal and social guidelines
of conduct. This means that in the long run, enlarging the
numbers of existing security personnel must be given priority so
that it will no longer be necessary to resort to ad hoc measures,
such as forming Kamra units.

ABRI in particular, and the law enforcing institutions in
general, could strive to win back the public's respect in two
ways: first, by seriously trying to show the people their
commitment (to enforce law and justice) while always defending
the people's interests, and second, by making ABRI an institution
that is respected by all.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta