What's wrong with HAM

What's wrong with HAM

From Media Indonesia

I am a retired member of this republic's military service. I
am writing to express my disappointment and dissatisfaction with
the present political as well as law enforcement conditions in
this country, particularly in connection with the current
practices of a non-governmental organization called Human Rights
Commission (HAM).

My observation of HAM tells me that it has not dared to
straightforwardly and openly blame the head of state, who has for
dozens of years been responsible for giving orders to our
generals to conduct military operations in Aceh, Irian Jaya and
other regions of conflict involving the separatist groups and the
Military and the Police of this republic, who have defended the
country from those who desired to separate from it. Yes, we had
endured, and risked our lives to make sure this Unitary State of
the Republic of Indonesia continue to remain intact. No doubt,
there were excesses involving the Army and/or the Police but
please bear in mind, we had to choose between to shoot or to be
shot at. It was a matter of risking our lives when it came to the
armed conflict in the separatist regions.

As a matter of fact, the HAM has been exaggerating violations
of human rights involving Army and Police personnel. On the other
hand, very little has been reported about the deaths of Army and
Police personnel as a result of cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment involving the separatist groups. It is as
if we were to blame all the time. But again, we did everything as
instructed by our supervisors and they did it based on the orders
they received from their generals who in turn had received orders
from the head of state. The question is, why has HAM never blamed
the generals or the head of state for the orders they gave us?
Why dare HAM not blame them and, if necessary, catch and bring
them to court? What's wrong with HAM? Quo vadis HAM?

SANYOTO MULYO

Serang, West Java