Maintain national unity: Ex-servicemen

JAKARTA (JP): More than 1,000 retired military and police officers called for all groups in society to end all forms of conflict and animosity to help calm chaotic situations.

"Current threats to national unity and the existence of the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila have reached an alarming level. The nation has been trapped in a chaotic situation where various groups in society are involved in conflicts that have weakened national unity," the ex-servicemen said in a statement read by former Army Chief gen. (ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar.

The statement said all retired officers of the military and police are still committed to maintaining national unity, the constitution and state ideology.

Among retired servicemen attending the meeting were former vice president Try Sutrisno, former Army chief Gen. (ret.) Abdul H. Nasution, former ministers of defense and security Gen. (ret.) Benny Moerdani and Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat, former House speaker Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kharis Suhud, Vice Admiral (ret.) Soebarkah, former Air Force chief Marshal (ret.)Saleh Basarah, former National Police chief Gen. (ret.) M. Yasin and former Army chief Gen. (ret.) Rudini.

Also attending the gathering were Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military Chief Gen. Wiranto and Chief of the Military General Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The retired officers also urged the government to thoroughly investigate cases of corruption, collusion and nepotism and to be consistent in implementing reform and democracy.

"Human rights, democracy, law and justice must be upheld impartially... The government should also stay sensitive and firm in handling all threats to unity and against groups which want to replace the constitution and Pancasila," said the statement.

Lt. Gen. (ret.) Syaiful Sulun said the Armed Forces should be able "to crush efforts aimed at growing (demands for) separatism and federalism", in reference to East Timor, Aceh and Riau.

Separately, Kharis Suhud and M. Yasin, reiterated apologies made last year by Gen. Wiranto, regarding the performance of the Armed Forces.

"During the New Order, the Armed Forces were separated from people and this resulted in hatred in people's hearts. The military has been a subject of blasphemy for wrongdoing in the past. In the name of the Indonesian Military, we, ex-servicemen, apologize to the people," Kharis said.

He said the military should reform itself and redefine its role in politics which has been a source of conflict with the people. The Armed Forces, which originated from the people, is meaningless without the support of them, Kharis said. (rms)