TNI, Police cadets told to uphold integrity
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)