The military versus civilian dilemma

I felt uncomfortable reading Juwono Sudarsono's recent statement in The Jakarta Post (Sept. 15) that civilians were not ready to lead this nation until 2005. He said it was the military that was ready to do so.

I believe the statement was based merely on surface issues. If we dare to look at the past 30 years, with regard to the developing culture, we may be able to understand why the situation is as it is.

Nobody outside the ruling political party ever participates in the governing of this country, no leader of the other two political parties can chair their party without the government's blessing.

There is also a tendency on the part of civilians to rely on the military during difficult times. Instead of being bold and consistent in enforcing the law, civilians tend to seek backup from the military.

Reliable communication lines help the military cover sections of the country (military rayons) separated by great distance. The military also has several organizations which evaluate the country's economic, political, social and religious matters. So, in a way, the military is always one or two steps ahead of the civilians.

If we really want to see civilian leaders emerge there must be changes to the moral, social, political and cultural system to give more freedom to the people and ensure less government interference.

Other issues include reducing government control; ensuring less social and political engineering; upholding principles of honesty and fairness; consistency in law enforcement and conceptualization.

The function of the military should be, as frequently stated by Gen. (ret.) Nasution, equality before the law and respect for human rights.

The question is: are we ready to admit this and change it?

If there seems to be no civilian leaders qualified to lead the nation now, will he or she be available in 2005? Who can guarantee that the changes will be beneficial to civilians? There should be no question about whether a civilian or military figure can lead the nation into the 21st century.

In other words, Juwono Sudarsono should not have raised the question. If only he dared to see the argument behind it.

The most important thing now is how to improve our moral, social, political, economic and cultural conditions to enable us to stride into the next century.

H.W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java