No need to guard the former president

No need to guard the former president

President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's order to disarm former president Soeharto's guards is a resolute step in upholding law and order. The society has indeed waited for such a step.

Though no longer in power, Soeharto is still treated as a power holder. His guards are still loyally guarding his as well as his children's safety.

It's only now that the issue of the former president's body guards is questioned. Initially, Wiranto, then still the Indonesian military commander, said he would ensure Soeharto and his family's safety and honor. This statement was made not long after Soeharto formally stepped down.

Thereafter, Soeharto and his family have always been safeguarded by the security apparatuses. The safeguarding doesn't differ much from that carried out when he was still in power. Fully armed apparatuses in uniform or in civilian clothes are always present around Soeharto's residence.

The guarding of this former New Order power holder seems to be superfluous, whereas the late former president Sukarno did not enjoy such facilities and neither have the former vice presidents. This special treatment is not aimed at honoring the former president, but at protecting him from the consequences of being accused of committing corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).

In my opinion, former president Soeharto need not be safeguarded like when he was still in power. The government need not afford him special treatment. Ordinary security is sufficient to protect him.

Therefore we hail President Abdurrahman's order to disarm Soeharto's guards. In other words Gus Dur wants Soeharto not to be specially guarded any longer. Providing unarmed guards means providing no guards. Gus Dur is sure, even without guards, Soeharto won't be hurt, because Soeharto is no longer president and has no power.

SUMARDI HARDJO

Jakarta