Where does ABRI really belong?

Where does ABRI really belong?

From Merdeka

Professionally speaking, members of the Armed Forces (ABRI)
are among the luckiest people in Indonesia because they can
assume practically any positions, military or civilian. They can
hold either structural positions within military circles or
important posts within the bureaucracy, including the position of
president.

In fact, military officers and civilian professionals such as
engineers or doctors spend more or less equal time in their
educational. A doctor may in fact take longer to obtain
certification.

Another advantage of being members of ABRI is that
opportunities in all sectors are open. Take membership of the
House of Representatives (DPR) or the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR). Civilians must not only prove that they have been
outstanding and active members of political parties over a
considerable period of time, but also endure stiff competition
with other candidates before they can be eligible for election as
members of DPR. Members of ABRI, however, can become legislators
in the DPR without having to go through the election process.

For this reason, it is really unfair and undemocratic to allow
members of ABRI to sit in the DPR. It is tolerable and
understandable to allow ABRI to be represented in the MPR by,
say, four members representing the Army, Navy, Air Force and
Police. In the case of MPR members representing the Armed Forces,
whether their number is big or small will not matter because
these members will voice the policy outlined by their
headquarters.

Finally, I suggest that ABRI should not allow itself to be
closer to the center of power and business than to the people.
Failing this, ABRI will be seen as protectors of powerholders and
businesspeople and not the people.

GUSTAM EFFENDI

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