Nasution book stresses morality in development

Nasution book stresses morality in development

JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret.) A.H. Nasution, Indonesia's most
senior military figure, denied speculation that he and the other
army generals, including (now President) Soeharto, attempted to
take over power from President Sukarno in the 1960s.

"It's slander that General Soeharto wanted to take over power
from President (Sukarno)," Nasution wrote in his book entitled
Dr. A.H. Nasution: Pembangunan Moral Inti Pembangunan Nasional
(Moral Development, Essence of National Development).

Published by PT Bina Ilmu, the book was launched yesterday at
a ceremony attended by Moslem scholar Nurcholish Madjid, justice
Bismar Siregar, chairman of the influential Islamic Propagation
Council Anwar Haryono, and A.M. Fatwa, a member of the Petisi 50
group of government critics.

Nasution, in frail health, said his book contains elements
which are "harsh", but need to be read. "Some things which are
good may not always be (pleasant)", he said.

The 281-page book is a compilation of 20 articles, which
recount some of the country's most important events in the 1960s
along with sermons and speeches that Nasution wrote and delivered
during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Parts of the book, edited by senior writer Anshari Thayib, are
reminders for the government to pay attention to the moral
aspects of development.

The book is a timely response to recent speculation on the
alleged role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the
abortive coup attempt of the now-banned Indonesian Communist
Party (PKI) in 1965, and on the army's subsequent takeover of
power from Sukarno.

"What really happened," Nasution wrote, "both on Oct. 1 (1965)
and in the following months, was that I, Gen. Soeharto nor the
other generals ever had any intention to take over power from the
President."

"Gen. Soeharto and the other commanders of the Armed Forces
(ABRI) continued to recognize Bung Karno as President/Supreme
Commander," Nasution wrote.

Nasution also spoke about the closeness he once enjoyed with
General Soeharto.

He wrote about how, after escaping an assassination attempt by
the communists, he used his authority as then commander of the
military to give Soeharto the power to lead all military
operations against the communists.

On Oct. 10, 1965, Nasution formally proposed to the President
that Soeharto be appointed army commander. "The President was
still reluctant, in line with PKI tactics," Nasution wrote. "But
with God's help, he eventually gave up."

Comparison

Nasution, who is known for his critical stance on many
government policies, compared in his book the Old Order
administration, under Sukarno, with the New Order government led
by President Soeharto.

"During the Old Order, our political system was formally based
on the Pancasila and the Constitution. Now, it's formally the
same. But in reality, there are deviations and shortcomings," he
wrote.

The book tells readers that successful development cannot be
measured by a high GNP or high-rise buildings. The success of
development, Nasution argues, is reflected in the upstanding
morality of the people.

The country's leaders must "have compassion so that they would
not dare to eat their fill before their people eat," Nasution
said, describing the true measure of successful development
efforts.

Nasution's book also asks if the country's rulers are the
"servants, or the boss, of their people".

"Do the rulers spend their time to amass wealth, ignoring the
poor?" Nasution said.

"It's undeniable that our development...has produced some real
results, especially physical development. But, in reality, there
is evidence of widespread moral decadence...hypocrisy,
corruption..manipulation, lax of legal enforcement and
justice...The increasing gap between the rich and the poor."

Nurcholish said the book should be read by those who wish to
know the real Nasution. Quoting a Moslem leader, Subchan Z.E.,
Nurcholish said Nasution once had the opportunity to become
president, but passed it up. "Had he not become a general, Pak
Nas would have become a professor, so deep is his intellectual
capacity.

Nurcholish quoted Finance Minister Mar'ie Muhammad, who is an
admirer of Nasution's, as calling Nasution "a puritan" who
consistently tries to live clean, physically and spiritually.
(swe)