Some truths are best left unstated: Lemhannas chief
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)