Wiranto establishes moral movement

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former minister of defense and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. (ret.) Wiranto launched on Sunday the establishment of the Garda Muda Merah Putih (Red-and-White Youth Defenders), a youth group promoting moral values.

"We hope we will be able to raise awareness among the youth about the country's social and political affairs and its unity and integrity through this moral movement," Wiranto said on the sidelines of the group declaration at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Central Jakarta.

"It's also hoped that the movement will warn members of the political elite to discharge their task well," he added.

The movement was launched as the nation commemorates the 73rd anniversary of Youth Pledge Day.

The group is chaired by Adhyaksa Dault, who is also chairman of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI), while Wiranto sits as chairman of the group's board of patrons. Members of the board include Muslim leader Ali Yafie, political observers Ryaas Rasyid and Afan Gaffar, politicians Abdul Madjid and Ahmad Sumargono and former student leader Hariman Siregar.

Asked whether the group would get involved in politics, Wiranto said it would be only a moral movement that attempted to promote a sense of brotherhood so that the state institutions would also function as agents for the promotion of public welfare and not merely as a means to obtain or maintain power.

He said the group was expected to help the government establish firm regulations for the prosperity of the people.

The former TNI chief warned of political rivalries that might endanger the country's unity.

"The political elite should be wiser, more aspirational and consistent in handling the problems of the people and the state," he said.