New guards at ABRI

If all goes well, President Soeharto will install Gen. Wiranto as the new chief of the Armed Forces (ABRI), and Gen. Subagyo as Army chief of staff at the presidential palace today.

Changes in ABRI's leadership may be as regular as clockwork, but given the military's powerful influence and its role in politics and in government, a reshuffle at the top always has great bearing and significance for the country. This time is no exception.

Several other top posts are also affected in this latest reshuffle, most notably those of ABRI chief of general affairs and ABRI chief of sociopolitical affairs. These changes are part of a recurrent rejuvenation process within the military. With the exception of Wiranto, all the top posts in ABRI and the Army are now in the hands of graduates of the ABRI Academy (AKABRI) -- where the emphasis is on developing professional soldiers -- which succeeded the National Military Academy (AMN).

Gen. Wiranto comes from AMN's Class 1968, but at 50, he is one of the youngest officers to hold the ABRI leadership baton. His predecessors were certainly older when promoted to the post, requiring the president to extend their services beyond the mandatory retirement age of 55 for senior officers. There will probably be none of that among senior officers if Soeharto decides to keep Wiranto in his new post for the next four years.

Wiranto's appointment did not come as a surprise. He has risen rapidly through the ranks these past few years, outshining his peers. A stint as President Soeharto's adjutant certainly boosted his resum, for it is a post given only to the most capable and entrusted officers. But Wiranto rose to the challenge in all the posts he has held since then, including as chief of the Jakarta Military Command, chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command, and as Army chief of staff.

Wiranto's leadership skills are also well tested outside the Army. He chaired the second ad hoc committee during the recent preparatory meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). His committee drafted the decrees on the election of president and vice president. With all these qualities, it is no wonder his name has often been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate. He probably would make a good vice president, but with the announcement of his new appointment, it looks like his skills and services are more needed in ABRI.

Wiranto may not have to wait too long before he is called on to prove his leadership qualities. The sporadic riots that we have seen in several towns these past few weeks will certainly be his first priority as soon as he assumes the ABRI leadership.

These are not the usual riots which the military has become accustomed to putting down. Some of these riots were sparked by rising food prices and food shortages as a consequence of the worsening economic crisis. These were riots caused by the failure of the economy to provide the most basic needs of the people such as food and jobs. Acting firmly alone would not solve the problem and could even aggravate the situation. Wisdom and compassion are also necessary in cases like these.

There is also the rising political temperature, prompted by the economic crisis and the approaching of the MPR General Session which will start March 1. The political situation in the country has grown particularly tense these past few weeks, and could even explode unless handled with care.

Rarely has the military been challenged so much on different fronts like today. ABRI has, on many occasions in the past, provided the decisive leadership and the initiative to pull the nation out of its predicaments. Can it do it this time?

With a leadership that combines youthfulness, firmness, experience and wisdom under Gen. Wiranto, one would certainly hope so.