Wiranto says criticism of ABRI 'unproportional and excessive'

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Tuesday the current condemnation of the military's role in national security was no longer "proportional" and has become excessive.

Speaking in a lecture on the state-ideology, Pancasila, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Wiranto was quoted by Antara as saying that the admonishments had "touched ABRI's honor and dignity" and might sow hatred and lead to conflict.

Wiranto said ABRI was now being pressed to continue to be responsible for security, but at the same time those who condemned it were also "acting up" with various activities and statements that only led to feelings of insecurity.

He did not mention any names of those who acted up, but added that when some "excesses" were unavoidable, the Armed Fores was "insulted and condemned for violating human rights".

He acknowledged that not only was ABRI now facing various dilemmas, it was also facing demands it change position and its role in the nation's life and state affairs.

"It is (precisely) regarding this role that ABRI has taken strategic steps to respond to the people's demands," he said.

"If the people were wise and honest, those strategic steps in defense and social politics (would be seen as proof) that ABRI has a strong commitment to adopt a position and role that is suitable for the era."

He also said ABRI was implementing reform and would continue to do so.

"ABRI has redefined and repositioned its social and political role, taking up a new paradigm based on four principles," he said.

The first principle is for ABRI to change its position so it no longer has to be in the forefront of politics; the second is to shift its approach from "occupying" to "influencing"; the third is that ABRI now chooses to "influence" indirectly rather than directly; the final principle is its willingness to concede some "political role sharing" with nonmilitary partners.

"Based on the new paradigm, the social and political role of ABRI will systematically and automatically decline, along with the growth in the strength of our civil society," Wiranto said. (swe)