Some truths are best left unstated: Lemhannas chief

JAKARTA (JP): Some truths are best left unsaid if revealing them could cause unrest and disrupt national stability, the governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) said yesterday.

Commenting on his days as a field commander, Lt. Gen. Moetojib said yesterday that his heart always beat faster whenever someone expressed an opinion that could cause unrest in society, Antara reported.

When asked if journalists should publish truths or lies, Moetojib replied, "Sure we have to tell the truth. But as a responsible person, truths that could lead to excessive chaos in society would be best left unsaid."

He continued: "In this case, a little lie wouldn't hurt."

Moetojib was responding to remarks by House Commission I member Krissantono of the Golkar faction, who expressed concern with what he perceived as an attempt to clamp down on people with views different from the government's.

Moetojib said Lemhannas was also "very concerned" with the recent bans on certain people from making public speeches. "However, if the ban is necessary for the sake of stability, then it should be imposed."

"It's true that a difference of opinion is the spirit of democracy, but if these differences disrupt stability they should be avoided," he said.

The government has been criticized for its policy of banning some of its vocal critics from appearing at seminars.

Following these criticisms, Coordinating Minister of Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman this month appointed a team to review the government's policy for issuing gathering permits.

An immediate offshoot of the review came last week with the announcement that the government was waiving permit requirements for academic seminars. Such gatherings are now at the discretion of the rectors rather than the police.

Krissantono during the hearing said that recent events in this country showed a tendency to put those people with different views as "adversaries" of the government, somewhat contrary to the democratic concept which recognizes differences of opinions.

He asked Moetojib whether Lemhannas has ever conducted a study to see whether or not there has really been an attempt to standardize people's views.

He underlined the fact that the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) recognizes differences within society.

Lemhannas, the military "think tank" under the Ministry of Security and Defense, has been responsible for many of the doctrines and concepts used in the Armed Forces.

Moetojib yesterday was accompanied by his deputy, noted political thinker Juwono Sudarsono, at the hearing. (emb)