Upholding dignity

From Rakyat Merdeka

The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) report to the military police about alleged bribery of Lt. Gen. Andi M. Ghalib, the attorney general, is not a purely legal matter. It should be viewed as an effort by the community to help establish the dignity of the Indonesian Military (TNI). It is similar to the accusations of members of the Yogyakarta community against the Bantul regent a few years ago in the case of journalist Udin's death. Both Ghalib and the regent are TNI officers assigned in civilian postings. Both were reported for alleged misuse of state funds which, inevitably, affects the public.

At the time, TNI did not pay much attention to the case of the regent because it considered it an administrative and legal case. Then, reformist students occupied the regent's office. The regent was subsequently dismissed. According to TNI, officers assigned to civilian postings are only the best of their kind. It means that they are the symbol of TNI's dignity. Besides, in the "eight pledges of tour of duty" of the military, it is mentioned that "a TNI soldier should never harm and hurt the people's hearts" (numbers seven and eight).

With proof apparently supporting the allegations, the Ghalib case is a test for the new TNI, especially concerning the values of dignity of TNI as a condition to gain the trust of the public at this time of a crisis of confidence in the national leadership.

I do not know whether Ghalib is a retired officer or not. My recommendation is that if he is a retired officer, the military police should reject the ICW report. TNI should state that Ghalib is no longer a TNI member so that whatever he does will not damage the TNI's dignity. If he is not a retired officer, he must be withdrawn whether he is right or wrong. It is to boost the image of the TNI. The community and the nation are still in great of need of a respected and trusted member of TNI.

ROCH BASOEKI MANGOENPOEROJO

Jakarta