Prabowo, an exemplary citizen

Prabowo, an exemplary citizen

It was reported recently that Prabowo made a three-day blitz
tour in Jakarta.

It is my opinion that we pay tribute to this gentleman, who to
this date, is the only high-ranking armed forces officer to make
public that he was responsible for certain actions undertaken by
his unit of special forces.

As we have read in the past, he had an outstanding career and
has shown character which can be made the standard of behavior
for all of us. He accepted a post, and accepted responsibility
and accountability for that.

As far as I can remember, that former president director
Abdulgani of Bank Duta did not do so and instead let Dicky
Iskandar Dinata go to prison for wrongful behavior, and he went
free with the other directors and commissioners.

I do not understand how this person now can become president
director of Garuda? How can Garuda personnel be proud to serve
under such a leader?

The same applies to Djiwandono as the former BI governor,
shielding himself behind instructions from former president
Soeharto to extend improper credit to Texmaco and other misdeeds
as a professional.

He completely "forgets" that Soeharto did not include in his
instructions to "trespass" laws and regulations, etc.

So if he did execute against laws and regulations, just as the
former minister of forestry gave Rp 400 billion from
reforestation funds to Habibie of PT IPTN, they are both solely
responsible.

If there is friction internally in the military, as written in
Kompas, Jan. 10, 2000, it indeed shows that they are now
rechecking the past realities -- deeds against their credo:
"from the people, for the people", what they have contributed in
the development of the republic during the past 32 years and what
they have done for and to the people.

This is quite a tall order, and very commendable, and we
should be helpful to them without accusing. They themselves
should come to conclusion against their credo and our
constitution and laws, what went wrong or what is wrong, so that
they can renew their commitment for 2000 at a fast pace.

Again Prabowo is exemplary, a true leader with the rare
correct personal attributes; Professor Sumitro and his family can
be proud of this son of Indonesia.

I humbly salute Prabowo as one of the 210 million civilian
Indonesians in the street, and I am grateful that he was and is
there. I deplore all the misleading smearing intrigue and
character assassination against this brilliant and valuable
citizen of Indonesia, and urge President Abdurrahman Wahid and
Vice President Megawati to correct the misdeeds against this
person, and clean the dirt thrown at him. I urge the media to
arrive upon the insight that they did do wrong in assisting in
those efforts ... !

I wish fervently that he can very soon contribute further in
resetting the values and direction of our republic.

Y. SANTO

Jakarta