Nasution defends outspoken fellow former generals

Nasution defends outspoken fellow former generals

JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret.) Abdul Haris Nasution, one of
Indonesia's oldest living senior military figures, defended his
fellow retired generals who take a critical stand on the
government.

"Giving criticism is part of retired military officials' duty
for the betterment of the country," Nasution, better known as Pak
Nas, told reporters in his residence yesterday.

He noted that retired military officials have different angles
in viewing state affairs from when they were still in active
service.

"Some retired military officials might join Golkar in their
efforts to continue their struggle, while others may choose to
keep a distance from the government," he said.

Nasution was commenting on President Soeharto's recent
criticism of some former generals' "inconsistency" in their stand
on state issues.

The President pointed out that some generals like criticizing
his policies after they retire although they were silent when
they were in active service.

Soeharto said the generals' stand was against the spirits of
the state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Several of such "outspoken" retired generals, including Kharis
Suhud and Bambang Triantoro, along with other prominent civilian
figures, founded the National Brotherhood Foundation last year.

The foundation's founding fathers said they formed the
organization out of their concern about current political
practices that they feared could endanger the nation's unity.

Nasution said he does not believe the outspoken generals have
ill intentions when they criticize the government. "I believe
that they want to contribute their ideas to the government to
help solve problems," he said.

Nasution, 78, is understood to be one of military's former
officials critical of the Soeharto administration.

He was an Army chief of staff and later defense minister
during President Sukarno's administration. He headed the
Provisional People's Consultative Assembly which stripped Sukarno
of his power in 1967.

Citing his personal experience, Nasution said that he once
criticized the way the military handled mass protests in the
past.

"Now we can see the result ... we see that the Armed Forces do
not fire at demonstrators anymore," he said.

Also raising concern over the former general's critical stand
were Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and Coordinating
Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.

On Thursday, Feisal attended a meeting of the Armed Forces
Pensioners Association. Without mentioning any names, he alleged
at the meeting that some retired military officials were involved
in the July 27 riots in the capital.

Separately, Soesilo, who is also chairman of the association,
said that some retired generals like saying one thing and doing
something else.

Injustices

According to Nasution, many retired officials are obliged to
voice their concern about the widespread injustices in society.

"Injustices are the biggest enemy of Indonesia's development
program," he said.

"The injustices could be used by the outlawed Indonesian
Communist Party to disrupt the nation's stability and order," he
added.

When asked whether it is still relevant to believe communism
as being the nation's main enemy, Nasution said: "It is the
President who has the authority to judge. I may make mistakes if
I try to comment on it."

He said that democratization is the solution to the various
injustices.

"We should develop and uphold democracy, so that all people
can channel their aspirations," he said. (imn)