Troops warned against illegal pamphlets

Troops warned against illegal pamphlets

JAKARTA (ANTARA): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo has asked servicemen to be on guard against illegal pamphlets carrying provocative messages.

"We, leaders and company commanders, have already done our best to prevent them (troops) from being instigated. But they must always comply with the Sapta Marga (seven military principles) and Sumpah Prajurit (Soldiers' Oath) and be on guard against such provocative efforts," he told the press after performing Friday prayers. He was commenting on the fact that illegal pamphlets were circulating among lower rank officers and privates.

The military chief said he believed all servicemen would always abide by the Seven Principles and the Soldier's Oath.

Accompanied by his assistant for security affairs, Maj. Gen. Noor Aman, and aide Col. Budiman, Subagyo said the illegal pamphlets had been found circulating in some parts of Jakarta and among soldiers in the field.

Previously, on Thursday, former Vice President Try Sutrisno had said, the Armed Forces (ABRI) would not be easily provoked as its members had been trained and educated as soldiers who had dedicated their lives to serving the interest of the state and nation.

ABRI, according to Try, should be given a chance to settle the problems given its new paradigm. If ABRI's role was weakened, it would be not healthy, he said.

Asked about the possibility of a political game aimed at damaging ABRI's image, Try said if the assumption was true, it would be no big problem. But if the game amounted to "assassination" of ABRI's character, it could not be tolerated.

Try who is chairman of the Association of ABRI Veterans (Pepabri), said the association would maintain its support to ABRI to make it more solid -- particularly its commitment to safeguard the unity and integrity of Indonesia based on the state ideology of Pancasila and 1945 Constitution.

He said ABRI would not be able to perform its tasks if it was not solid.