TNI, Police cadets told to uphold integrity

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid on Thursday told graduating Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police officers to uphold integrity and dignity as they entered a public life currently holding little esteem for the armed forces.

Abdurrahman told them to adjust themselves to the country's rapid changes and to brace for the barrage of denunciations which may be lodged against their institution.

"You are now entering a TNI and Police environment amid a situation full of condemnation and criticism (against TNI). But you must be able to defend TNI and the police's honor," the president said at the graduation ceremony of cadets from the Military and Police Academies in the courtyard of Merdeka Palace .

The graduation ceremony is part of tradition as the president is the supreme commander of the military and police.

However due to Abdurrahman's poor eyesight, it was Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri who officially inducted the 1,076 new graduates -- 340 from the Army, 240 from the Naval Academy, 145 from the Air Force Academy and 351 from the Police Academy.

The graduates were accorded the rank of second lieutenant during the rain soaked ceremony.

"You must acknowledge certain sectors within society who possibly may not understand what you are doing," Abdurrahman remarked of the uncomfortable circumstances the young officers will face.

The public image of TNI and the police has reached its lowest level in many years as accusations of rights abuses continue to surface. The situation is compounded by revelations of substance abuse among officers.

Lt. Agus Isrok, son of former Army chief of staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, was caught red-handed possessing several kilograms of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) in September.

While top military brass are being held accountable for alleged rights abuses in Aceh and the now former Indonesian province of East Timor.

So incessant were the recriminations that the Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) Commander Lt. Gen. Jaja Suparman warned earlier this week that continued reproach would lead to offended soldiers acting recklessly.

Abudrrahman, however, had encouraging words for the young officers who face a daunting task ahead of them.

"Many of the criticisms and denunciations are wrongfully aimed at TNI and the police as institutions, while, actually, criticism should be aimed at the individuals who violate the law," he said.

Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, who is also chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, said inquiries into rights abuses were not aimed at undermining the military.

Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah also played down Jaja's remarks saying that "TNI (soldiers) do not serve the generals, their service is to TNI as an institution and to the state". (prb)