Mega calls for higher morals in military

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on Friday on young officers from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police to set a high moral standard, especially during the country's reform process.

"Only with a high moral standard will you be able to achieve admirable leadership," Megawati said during the initiation of 816 new young military and police officers at the State Palace.

Megawati added that only through the achievement of such leadership would the officers be able to become professional in maintaining Indonesia's sovereignty, unity and security, which was badly needed in the country's current transitional phase.

Besides inducting 295 Army, 147 Navy, 131 Air Force and 243 police officers, Megawati also bestowed the Adhimakayasa Award on the four top graduates from each service.

Megawati's call came after three clashes this year between the military and police, triggered mostly by disputes over protection rackets independently operated by the two forces.

This December alone has witnessed two clashes -- the first in the town of Palopo, Luwu regency, South Sulawesi, injuring two policemen, while the other occurred in the town of Wanawa, West Kalimantan, causing the death of one soldier and the injury of another, as well as the injury of two policemen.

In February, the port town of Dumai in Riau also experienced a clash between the military and police, in which two policemen were injured.