Soeharto wants crime contained
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called for a more concerted effort yesterday to contain crime and violence, which have been on the rise in big Indonesian cities lately.
Although the crime rate in Indonesia is still relatively low, "we cannot allow this trend to continue," Soeharto said in a speech during a graduation ceremony for cadets of the military academy at the Merdeka Palace ground.
This trend is largely induced by social changes that have been taking place in Indonesia, he said. "We need to study the social changes that are occurring and develop a system to prevent, contain and manage this trend together with the people."
"We shouldn't hesitate in studying from other countries who have experience in handling crime," he added.
His remarks came as the nation is coming to grips with the horror of a gang rape in Bekasi this week.
A woman and her two teenage daughters were the victims while her husband was bound by a rope.
The rape is the latest of a series of violent crimes that have made headlines in recent weeks. Other recent cases include the killing of a senior police officer and the murder of a television cameraman, both in Jakarta.
Soeharto in his speech emphasized the need for greater public participation in containing crime.
A system is necessary to help people report any crime being committed and also prevent people from taking the law into their own hands, he said.
At the ceremony yesterday, President Soeharto, who is also the supreme commander of the Armed Forces (ABRI), inaugurated 794 new graduates from the ABRI Academy. They consisted of 289 army officers, 140 naval officers, 109 air force officers and 256 national policemen.
The new officers, most of whom were accompanied by their parents and relatives, were accorded the rank of second lieutenant.
Four of the new officers were presented by President Soeharto the Adhi Makayasa awards for coming top in their respective classes.
The four are Djon Afriandi from the Army, Hery Setiyo Nugroho from the Navy, Sapuan from the Air Force, and Sandi Nugroho from the Police Force.
One proud father was Army Brig. Gen. Afiffudin Thaib, the father of Djon Afriandi, who told reporters that he had never encouraged his son to join the military.
"I guess because we've always lived in a military circle, moving from one military housing complex to another, that he chose to join ABRI," Afiffudin, who once served as the Army's chief spokesman, was quoted by Antara as saying.
The other top graduates have different backgrounds: Hery Setiyo Nugroho is the son of a teacher in Boyolali in East Java; Sapuan is the son of a farmer in Kudus, Central Java, and Sandi Nugroho is the son of a retired civil servant.
Soeharto in his speech said that it is the officers corps who determine the success or failure of the military in defending the nation.
He told the new officers that they should always remember that ABRI, besides being the national army, is the "people's army".
"This tradition of being united with the people is the chief source of ABRI's power. That's why we have to preserve this unity of ABRI with the people," said Soeharto, who is himself a retired army general.
Acknowledging that ABRI must strive to strengthen its skill and professionalism, he said this quest for professionalism must not come at the expense of ABRI's long-held identity as the people's army.
"Professionalism is not an end. It's a means to allow (ABRI members) to serve and help the nation achieve its goals," he said. "It is difficult to envisage the future of Indonesia -- and the future of ABRI itself -- if ABRI loses its identify." (imn)