TNI in the Cabinet
TNI in the Cabinet
From Rakyat Merdeka
With reference to a report in a daily in the capital on Oct.
27, 1999, in which it was said that the Action Front of Students
for Reform and Democracy (Famred) does not feel happy about the
presence of a number of military officers in the present Cabinet,
I, a student, wish to counter this statement.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has formed his Cabinet not with
his own free will because he has discussed the personnel to be
included in his Cabinet with the House of Representatives. Famred
should not speak on behalf of all Indonesian students and think
negatively of the line-up of the new Cabinet.
As a student group, Famred should have a high sense of
reasoning and intellectuality and should refrain from
demonstrating emotion and negative thinking in responding to a
national problem. I wonder what contribution Famred wishes to
give to this nation, now still squeezed by a deep crisis? It
seems that Famred is very fond of opening up a front and prefers
to see community members engaged in conflicts. This attitude will
not lead to peace among community members. Instead, it will only
cause fresh wounds to the Indonesian people.
Please do not think negatively of the Indonesian Military
(TNI) and consider TNI as a stepchild of the nation. TNI is the
nation's own flesh and blood. It has the same rights and
obligations as the rest of Indonesia's citizens. When they decide
to enter the military, TNI members sign a contract to give up
their lives for the sake of the country and the nation. TNI will
never choose easy and nice positions and will never be selfish.
TNI always prioritizes sacrifices and dedication for the unity
and survival of the state and the nation.
As a student, I hope that Famred will not hurriedly pass a
verdict on the new Cabinet, especially by taking to the streets
to exert pressure through demos. Give this Cabinet a chance to
work together and create a peaceful situation so that success
will be reached. It takes time and patience on the part of all
national components to score successes.
FAUZAN AHMAD
Jakarta