TNI's dual function

TNI's dual function

The article in your paper on July 3, 2003 written by Dr.
Damien Kingsbury, titled Lingering problems: TNI, the state, the
nation was appalling. The dual function of the Indonesian
Military (TNI), which went beyond the intentions of its
architect, the late Gen. A.H. Nasution, contributed significantly
to political and economic stability in Indonesia for nearly 30
years under former president Soeharto.

I don't think that the downfall of Soeharto was due to the
dual function per se. It resulted from the failure of various
national institutions such as the House of Representatives and
the People's Consultative Assembly, etc., to function as they
should, which forced Soeharto to bow to the will of the people.
He resigned and vice president BJ Habibie was then sworn in as
president.

Kingsbury's opinion on the role of the military in the dual
function was biased and deviated from reality. He said the
military needed public obedience to the state's Pancasila
philosophy and "nationalism."

Pancasila and nationalism are not vague mantra, as Kingsbury
suggested. Pancasila as a way of life is solid, and nationalism,
being one of its five principles, is inextricably linked to
Pancasila. Nationalism was stressed in the 1928 Youth Congress,
in which people pledged to have one state, one nation and one
national language -- Indonesia.

As regards the military operation in Aceh, it is a political
decision aimed at protecting the integrity of the unitary state
of Indonesia. The operation is not the task of the military
alone, as understood by Kingsbury. It is a commitment of the
whole nation.

It is an integrated operation that will lead to a
normalization of the lives of the Acehnese people, as it does not
only involve security but also other aspects, such as the local
economy, education, etc. Hence, GAM will sooner or later be
forgotten by the people and become a thing of the past. The
Acehnese people then can look forward to a peaceful and
prosperous life within the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.

MUHD RAMZY HASIBUAN, Jakarta