Seven generals on trial?

Seven generals on trial?

From Rakyat Merdeka

The Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) in East Timor has recommended the trial of certain members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) for their inability to handle the situation after the independence ballot in East Timor. According to the report, the commission will name seven high-ranking officers. The number of these officers matches that of the seven "heroes of the revolution", who allegedly set up a council of generals who were reportedly plotting to overthrow Sukarno and, who, later lost their lives as a result of treachery.

Now, what is the relationship between these men and the seven officers to be recommended for trial? In fact, there is no direct relationship between them, especially considering the differing periods of time and political conditions. However, at the same time as the commission's report was published, there were rumors of a coup attempt to topple President Abdurrahman's administration. This assumption is corroborated with the unwillingness on the part of TNI members to see their generals taken to court. In this regard, even the President has said that about 10 percent of TNI members are unloyal.

In my analysis, in a changing situation in which a regime is consolidating itself in order to be able to secure its power, strong support, among others from the military, is needed. In such a situation, the present legitimate government needs a loyal military. So military members who are defiant or not loyal (10 percent) must be removed. Is it true that the seven high-ranking officers recommended for trial by the commission and also by the Attorney General's Office are among those to be removed?

The question is whether these seven high-ranking officers are merely victims of a regime which is consolidating its position. They have been made victims through the commission. If this is the case, it is exactly the same as what happened to the seven "heroes of the revolution" when the council of generals was accused of attempting to overthrow Sukarno. Who has orchestrated all this? It is hard to say and it is also difficult to point an accusing finger in this respect. Yet, we may make an analogy between the seven "heroes of the revolution" and the seven "victims of the reform drive". I just hope that my analysis is wrong.

HARUN MANISE

Jakarta