Wiranto urged to make ABRI more democratic
JAKARTA (JP): Gen. Wiranto took over the command of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) from Gen. Feisal Tanjung yesterday amid calls from senior officers that he develop the military into a more democratic institution.
Two senior ABRI members, Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution and Gen. (ret) Leonardus Benjamin Moerdani, expressed hope that under Wiranto the Armed Forces could be more heedful of and responsive to people's aspirations.
"The Armed Forces should put people's aspiration above the interests of any individual groups," Nasution told reporters after attending the ceremony marking the transfer of duty from Feisal to Wiranto at ABRI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.
Nasution, who turns 80 this year, said Wiranto should strive to maintain unity in the Armed Forces and protect it from disintegration.
Moerdani, who will be 66 this year, said the Armed Forces should be more responsive to calls for democratization.
"The Armed Forces should be more open and accommodate suggestions from people and be ready to hold dialogs," Moerdani, who is better known as Benny, said.
The seniors also heaped praise on Wiranto for his capabilities that earned him the top post in the military. Moerdani said Wiranto deserved the post.
"I have observed his (Wiranto's) performance since long before I was appointed the Armed Forces commander in 1983," he said. "Wiranto has a good military record."
Wiranto was only 50 when President Soeharto signed a decree appointing him ABRI commander on Feb. 11. His predecessor Feisal Tanjung was appointed ABRI commander when he was 54 in 1993.
Nasution said it made sense that Wiranto had a more outstanding record than his seniors, including himself.
"Today's military are better educated than we were in the past," Nasution said.
He said that past military officers obtained a lot of experience on the battlefield, although they were less well educated.
"The current military officers should be good on the battlefield as well as in other fields," Nasution said. "They should be more conversant with their sociopolitical role."
In his address, Wiranto praised his predecessor's success in developing the Armed Forces into a "professional, efficient and modern" body.
"I congratulate General Feisal Tanjung who has done well and built a professional, efficient and modern Armed Forces," Wiranto said after receiving the commander's baton from Feisal.
"ABRI has also been successful in maintaining stability in the country," he added in the ceremony attended by Chief of the Supreme Advisory Council Sudomo, Chief Justice Sarwata and Chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body Moetojib, as well as foreign dignitaries and embassy defense attaches.
Also present were cabinet ministers, including Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare Azwar Anas, Minister of Defense Edi Sudradjat, and Justice Minister Oetojo Oesman.
One thousand troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Police corps were involved in the ceremony that was also attended by Australian Armed Forces Chief Gen. John Baker.
Wiranto said ABRI must stay strong to survive the economic difficulties currently blighting the country.
In his address, Feisal said a new commander would not mean changes in strategic planning and policies.
"ABRI never changes and always stays the same," he said at the ceremony.
The Armed Forces announced Wednesday it was renominating President Soeharto for his seventh consecutive, five-year, term and nominating a civilian, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie for the vice presidency in the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly next month. (imn)