TNI remains target of condemnation

TNI remains target of condemnation

From Panji Masyarakat

What has happened in the last few days in the Halmahera
islands of Maluku is ironic. Hundreds of Muslims became the
victims of acts of violence by non-Muslims. The issue of the
human rights of the victims has apparently not attracted the
attention of the people who always claim to be civilized. Where
have our state apparatuses gone? Where are the human rights
activists? Yet they rigorously claim that they are human rights
champions.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) has been alleged to have
violated human rights in East Timor after the self-determination
referendum there. In fact, TNI should be given the legitimacy to
act firmly and responsibly without being haunted by the issue of
human rights violations.

The involvement of our nation in the issue of human rights
violations after the ballot in East Timor clearly indicates how
the Western world plays a significant role in determining when
and who should be defended in relation to human rights
violations. With our involvement in this issue and the
imbalanced, unjust and unfair allegations against TNI, it can
indirectly be taken to mean that, prior to the referendum in East
Timor, the idea of human rights did not exist on Indonesian soil.

This situation is easily understood by the fact that non-
governmental organizations are funded by Western countries and
those who are employed in the National Commission on Human Rights
are grossly anti-TNI. In this context, whatever the TNI does and
does not do will always be blamed.

Given the prevailing situation, it is high time Indonesian
Muslims realized the difficult times we are facing with our
national dignity and integrity at stake, and the crucial need for
all religious groups to maintain tolerance and mutual
understanding.

R. MEDANTO BUDOYO K.

Jakarta