Political forces are partners, not enemies: Feisal

Political forces are partners, not enemies: Feisal

JAKARTA (JP): When the Armed Forces (ABRI) carries out its socio-political role, there are no enemies. The other political forces are seen as partners, ABRI chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung says.

In a speech before the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) on Thursday, Feisal underlined the chief difference in the way ABRI discharges its defense and political roles, the Antara news agency reported.

In its defense duty, ABRI must be able to distinguish between friends and foes. But in carrying out its political role in the context of Pancasila democracy, all the political players are "partners in struggle", he said.

Differences in political beliefs and perceptions between these players should be recognized as long as they are consistent with the state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, he said.

In conducting defense and security operations, the military might be required to use force and violence to pressure, cripple or even kill the enemy, Feisal said.

But in its socio-political capacity, there must not be enmity, he said. "Everyone is a fellow fighter with a common national objective. There shouldn't be any pressure, threat, use of force, or other form of violence."

ABRI officers given political assignments must be more accommodating and persuasive, he said, they must possess high communication skills.

Kostrad marked its 34th anniversary on Thursday by organizing a series of speeches about the military, presenting Feisal and Minister of Security and Defense Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat as speakers.

Kostrad is one of the Army's most elite forces and has produced many of the leaders in power today, both in the military and in politics. President Soeharto was one of the force's first commanders.

Feisal said the political role of ABRI must continually be reviewed and adjusted to fit with the conditions of the time.

The military must be responsive to the changes and to the demands of the people, he said, adding that this is the only way for ABRI to convince the nation that its political role is performed solely in the interest of the people.

Legitimacy

ABRI's current dual role -- in defense and politics -- dates back to the early years of the republic 50 years ago. In 1982, the political role was formally given legitimacy by the House of Representatives.

In another part of the speech, Feisal warned about society's tendency to form exclusive groups, which could still undermine the unity of the nation.

His speech made no reference to any particular group but he said these groups command the loyalty of their members and would try to exclude others.

The presence of such exclusive groups, he said, is creating suspicion and mistrust between various groups in society. This, he went on to say, could undermine the spirit of "deliberation to reach consensus" which is the essence of Indonesian politics.

Minister Edi Sudradjat in his speech reiterated that ABRI is a component of the entire national defense system which relies on the total support of the people.

Underlining the concept of kemanunggalan (oneness), Edi said Indonesia does not recognize the difference between the people and ABRI because it follows the defense principle, which is "from the people, by the people and for the people".

The concept of "oneness" is not a mere slogan. It's a matter of necessity, he said.

ABRI is the force that is constantly on the ready to defend the nation. Behind it, though, there is a reserve force and behind that there's another layer -- the people.

Precisely because of this system, Indonesia can rely on a small, yet effective, efficient and professional military force, he said.

The National Defense Act allows the government to call for a total mobilization of the people in times of war.

Edi said mobilization, if there ever is such a need, will only occur in phases and in accordance with the degree of threat.

The government has refrained from exercising its option to call for compulsory national service chiefly because of the huge cost such a venture would entail. (emb)