Veterans' children forum becomes mass organization

JAKARTA (JP): The powerful Forum for Children of Retired Servicemen has upgraded its status into a mass organization and elected President Soeharto's third son, Bambang Trihatmojo, as its chairman.

Bambang said in his inauguration Tuesday night that the organization has been strengthened so that it will be capable of contributing its services to the nation.

He dismissed speculations that the restructurization is a move to strengthen the government's position in the 1997 general election.

"It has nothing to do with the upcoming general election. We have no intention of helping (the ruling party) Golkar win the elections," Antara quoted him as saying.

The forum's new leadership was installed on Tuesday night by Chief of Armed Forces' Socio-political Affairs Lt. Gen. Ma'ruf at the end of its extraordinary congress at the Haj Boarding House in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta.

The congress also named Indra Bambang Utoyo to the post of secretary-general, the forum's second most senior position.

In carrying out his day-to-day activities, Bambang Trihatmojo will be assisted by eight deputies, Pontjo Sutowo, Yapto Soeryosoemarno, Srie Rejeki Sumaryoto, Tadjoeddin Noer Said, Didiet Haryadi, Bambang R. Soegomo, Erwan Sukarja and Andi Rallie Siregar.

On hand at the grand ceremony were Army Chief Gen. R. Hartono, Chief of ABRI's General Affairs Lt. Gen. Suyono, deputy army chief Lt. Gen. FX Sudjasmin, deputy Golkar chairperson Siti Hardijanti Rukmana and chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Ma'ruf represented Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung, who is the organization's patron.

Feisal, in his written speech read by Ma'ruf, asked FKPPI to play a more active role in social services.

Bambang said the organization, which was established in 1978, will now function as both a communication forum for retired servicemen's children and a mass organization open to the public.

The forum's youth wing is called Generasi Muda FKPPI, or FKPPI's Young Generation, and is chaired by Asep R. Sudjana.

"FKPPI's reorganization was aimed at developing the potential of the organization," he said.

"The hope has come true now that the organization is open for all people," said Surya Paloh, one of the forum's founder. He added that the forum would also accommodate the people's political aspirations.

He said that the reorganization will help the Armed Forces implement its dual function in both defense and politics. (rms)