The teflon general
The teflon general
If Gen. Wiranto were an American, this is what he would be
called: The teflon general. One week the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights calls for a war crimes tribunal to examine the
atrocities of Wiranto's subordinate commanders and troops in East
Timor, and the following he is the center of speculation as a
presidential or vice presidential candidate.
In fact, there is every reason to believe that the leading
so-called "reform" party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), is eager to welcome him as a
vote-getting partner to Megawati in the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR). If Wiranto cannot control his own military, what
kind of a president -- or vice president to a puppet president --
will he make? If he is lacking the courage and capability to lead
the military into the 21st century, can he lead the rest of
Indonesia there?
This man who seemed so professional and promising, who in May
1998 seemed so willing to put the interests of the nation before
personal ambition or sectarian military interests, has taken off
his camouflage and showed his real identity. He is a military
elite in the mold of his predecessors. If his security law is
passed, others may not have the chance to write words like this
about Wiranto or others, and that may be among the mildest
consequences of his new law.
If he becomes Megawati's vice president, will he charm her
into letting his bullying military cronies have their way in
places like Aceh, where the military's alleged control of the
illegal logging industry is leading to the devastation of Gunung
Leuser National Park? And if this protege of Soeharto enters the
presidential or vice presidential palace, and Bapak (Father) or
his anak-anak (children) want his ear, won't they assuredly have
it?
Should the unthinkable happen and Golkar name him its
presidential candidate, Indonesia will be returned to a rule by
force and fear, militarism and cronyism, just as those scourges
of human development promised to be brought under control in
Indonesia. Don't let this happen, Indonesia.
DONNA K. WOODWARD
Medan, North Sumatra