Prabowo's dismissal

Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, the central figure in the drama and tragedy of the abduction of political activists, has had his active service in the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) terminated. In plain terminology -- in contrast to the elaborate jargon that is commonly used by the military -- it may be said that Prabowo was discharged. At the same time, Maj. Gen. Muchdi and Col. Chairawan were released of all structural duties within ABRI. In short, the ABRI leadership prefers to take administrative, rather than legal, action against them.

By discharging (former Army Special Force commandant-general Lt. Gen.) Prabowo, ABRI aims to demonstrate that the principles of punishment and reward are applied within its organization. In the special case of Prabowo, however, this kind of punishment fails to appease the public's sense of justice. What the public was waiting for was not just to see what punishment Prabowo would receive, but whether its right to know would be satisfied. The public has the right to be given every bit of information concerning the abductions. Those two aspects -- due punishment and the public's right to be informed -- are parts of the very essence of justice.

It appears, however, that ABRI still prefers to hold on to its own -- rather than the public's -- perception of justice and transgression. ABRI takes the view that it is enough to inform the public on the punishment given and that people do not need to know any specifics regarding the case. Such an exclusivist attitude normally leads to coercion and disinformation.

The actions that have been taken against Prabowo, Muchdi and Chairawan reveal nothing. It appears that ABRI is not ready to swallow too bitter a pill.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta