The military versus civilian dilemma

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