Wiranto says criticism of ABRI 'unproportional and excessive'
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)