Nationalist group concerns national integrity
Nationalist group concerns national integrity
One of the new organizations has come to life in recent weeks
is the National Brotherhood Foundation or YKPK whose rank and
file reflect the pluralistic Indonesian society. The Jakarta
Post talks to Lt. Gen. (ret) Bambang Triantoro, chairperson of
the newly founded body.
Question: How do you see the mushrooming of new organizations
in recent weeks?
Answer: I am asking myself whether the term mushrooming is
right. I don't think it is mushrooming. People think that way
because of their own mind-set. People say there will be a new
Masyumi since there has been a new PNI (Indonesian National
Unity).
Q: If it's not a action-reaction chain, then what is it?
A: In commemorating our 50th anniversary it is important to
look back and evaluate what we have achieved and what we have
not. The golden anniversary has certainly given rise to the
awakening of thoughts, enthusiasm and a willingness to accomplish
more. Even more so since we are also aware that after 50 years of
independence we must still catch up with other nations. These may
be the erosion of the values of our struggle, national values and
others. It stands to reason that people feel called upon to take
action.
Individual action is difficult, that is why people try to
align thoughts and feelings with others. Such agreement may
result in action through an organization. Thus, an organization
is born.
Q: You referred to things not yet achieved after 50 years.
What are they?
A: Well ... actually I have not finished about the reasons
that lead people to establish an organization. What I just
mentioned was only the first factor. The second one is our own
condition as a nation among other nations in the world, in a
situation of togetherness named globalization.
With closer ties among nations, each nation certainly desires
to place itself in a position of importance. Have we already
reached that position? If not, what makes us different from other
nations?
By that method too we will see there are changes in values or
norms -- as I mentioned before -- taking place around us. Thus,
apart from being grateful for the progress achieved, we certainly
also see the weaknesses, inadequacies and backwardness which need
to be addressed.
Q: Is that the basis of the establishment of your
organization?
A: Yes but there are many other reasons. And in honesty you
will say that the present condition is not the situation of life
we all desire. For example, with regard to justice, economics,
politics and others. Once again, if you want to be honest, there
are still things that concern people.
Q: What concrete steps can be taken by an organization like
YKPK to overcome, let's say, the erosion of values and norms?
A: In my opinion, improvements must be made by the whole
nation. It is not possible to achieve it by one group only, even
if it has the biggest mass throughout Indonesia. Each person who
claims to be an Indonesian must take part in the efforts.
For example, the success of the family planning program.
Indeed, for the effort, we have an agency, the national family
planning coordination board, but if the women and the men do not
participate in the effort, do not share the feeling that we need
to control birth, the program would not have succeeded.
Another example, the national discipline campaign. This is
also on the rise due to our concern to see how people now easily
deviate from rules. If now people are still disappointed in this
movement it is because not everybody sees discipline as an
important issue.
Q: So, what is the position of a mass organization in the
efforts for improvement?
A: A mass organization can be the engine for improvements. We
can do that by various methods, one is through informal
education. What we have done at YKPK are activities like seminars
and discussions. Through these, hopefully many people will learn
about the values we put forward and absorb them. These people
will in turn hopefully bring these values into practice.
We will also conduct social activities as a form of example
setting for the community. I cannot say what form the activities
will take because it is still being prepared by a team. I hope we
can start the activities early next year.
Q: What is your opinion on presidential succession?
A: Succession is a national issue that should exist not only
at this moment. Thus, we can discuss a presidential term for
example. Indeed, the 1945 Constitution enables one to be re-
elected again and again. Do you want another system? For example,
a limit of two terms? If so, the People's Consultative Assembly
must decide this in a general session.
But many think the current rule is adequate and is more
feasible for our nation. For other nations, this does not work.
For us, however, this is probably the most suitable.
Q: Can you explain your opinion?
A: Continuity implies consistency. As a nation we once
experienced a cabinet that did not last one year. The
Constitution stipulates that the cabinet is led by the president
and not by a prime minister. What will happen if every term there
was a change of president?
So, perhaps, the general session of the People's Consultative
Assembly should discuss who among us is the most suitable now to
be president.
In this case we should not discuss the person, but rather the
criteria. Anybody can propose criteria. These will be presented
for analysis to the general session of the People's Consultative
Assembly.
It is sad, sorry to say this, I read it in a magazine, there
was somebody who said that for many people in YKPK the person for
president was Vice President Try Sutrisno. This is horrible. I
take pity on him. We have never thought that way and I am sure
Pak Try has never thought so either. He would not possibly use
this organization to present him as a candidate. (swa, hbk)
Lt. Gen. (ret) Bambang Triantoro has held a number of
important posts, including Chief for the Social and Political
Affairs of the Armed Forces, is now a member of the Supreme
Council.