Outspoken generals

Outspoken generals

President Soeharto criticized a number of retired generals
last month for being "inconsistent" in their views and for often
voicing "ideas that oppose the spirit of Pancasila and the 1945
Constitution." After such remarks, the statement made by Army
Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono the other day deserves closer
observation.

In a seemingly conciliatory tone, Hartono expressed regret
over statements made by some retired generals, but he promised to
use their outspokenness for the better by inviting them to speak
at the Army Staff and Command School (Seskoad). Gen. Hartono said
the Army could not impose sanctions on the retired officers, but
that it would "remind" them through individual approaches. In an
attempt to improve understanding, the Army is reportedly planning
to hold a meeting at Seskoad between retired and active senior
military officers.

Hartono's statement is just the latest regarding outspoken
generals. Earlier, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung,
without mentioning any names, alleged that some retired military
officials were involved in the July 27 riots in the capital.
Separately, Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman said that some retired generals like
saying one thing and doing another.

The fact is that for years the government has been upset by
the growing number of retired Armed Forces officers and their
tendency to criticize. The latest case to put the government on
the defensive was the establishment of the National Brotherhood
Foundation by a number of retired generals, including Kharis
Suhud and Bambang Triantoro, along with several prominent
civilian personalities. The "Petition of Concern," which they
issued earlier this year, reportedly enraged the government. The
most well-known grouping of critical retired officers is the
Petisi 50 group chaired by Marine Lt. Gen. (ret.) Ali Sadikin,
who officials once charged with plotting against the government
and whom they later labeled a dissident.

One should remember, however, that most military officers
retire without a fuss. One example is former Armed Forces Chief
Gen. Benny Moerdani, who, since retiring three years ago, has
avoided making public statements. He reportedly believes that
soldiers are bound to the soldier's oath even after retirement
and therefore must refrain from politicking.

Despite the small number of outspoken generals, their
discordant views on state issues have found a large audience,
largely due to the popularity of such figures as Gen. Sumitro and
Gen. Rudini.

But why are they so outspoken? Perhaps after being relieved of
their official duties certain generals have found a new freedom
and now feel they can speak from their conscience. Or maybe after
they retire they begin to see matters differently. Whatever the
case, they have yet to overstep the line. The government has been
much more tolerant then, say, a decade ago, when members of the
Petisi 50 were punished and banned from traveling abroad,
attending state functions and receiving loans from state banks.

Gen. Hartono's statement should be seen as another positive
step towards a reconciliation between active military officers
and outspoken retired generals. In this context, one should take
heed of the words of Gen. Abdul Haris Nasution, the former Army
chief of staff known for his outspokenness and defense of fellow
retired officers. He once said that "giving criticism is part of
a military officer's duty for the sake of the betterment of the
country." As Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat put
it, Indonesia needs constructive criticism from its retired
government officials to nurture democracy.

One hopes the authorities will extend this same understanding
and principle of constructive engagement with the retired
generals to the civilian side, including the media and non-
governmental organizations. The political turmoil of the past few
months has left many suspicious of one another, something we
cannot afford on our journey to greater democracy. We need to
return to common sense and convince ourselves that only by coming
together as a nation can we meet the challenges of the future.