On Kostrad aid to Bengkulu

I was disturbed to read (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 8, 2000) that Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah may be subject to official criticism for his decision to send troops of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) to Bengkulu to assist with earthquake relief.

I am involved in an Indonesian business group (with Australian connections) which also provided aid, and we met some of those troops. By chance we found them restoring a badly damaged elementary school in a low-cost housing area far away from the public view on the outskirts of Bengkulu city.

According to local community leaders, the soldiers came unannounced and sought no payment or favors, but in a very short period of time efficiently and quietly totally restored a four- classroom block. Our funds were limited, but were enough to provide the classroom furniture needed to complement the work of the soldiers. All aid was totally in kind, and together we left behind some very happy little kids on the first day of the current school term.

I have no idea whether Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah breached any regulations in providing the assistance that he did, but the exemplary behavior we saw is a positive reflection on Kostrad leadership (not just that of Lt. Gen. Agus). And we sorely need officers in our Army able to generate such good service and public support. And Bengkulu still needs our help, by the way.

PETER FANNING

Jakarta