UNAIR NEWS – The Ministry of Social and Politics of Student Executive Body (BEM) Faculty of Law Universitas Airlangga held a discussion on “Continuing Agenda of Security Reform”. It was held on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Room 303, Building A, Faculty of Law, UNAIR.
The discourse emergence of Dwi Fungsi (Dual Function) of ABRI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) in February, prompted BEM FH UNAIR to hold the discussion. The speakers were Dr. Siti Aminah, M.A (UNAIR Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Lecturer), Dr. Herlambang Perdana Wiratraman, S.H., M.A (Director of Center for Human Rights Law Studies at FH UNAIR), and Asfinawati, S.H. (Head of Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation).
Regarding the emerging discourse of Dwi Fungsi ABRI, the three speakers considered it a disability in a democratic state system. If the dual functions of Armed Forces are re-implemented, stakeholders will betray the reform agenda.
Many people in 1998 voiced the abolition of dual function of ABRI because they felt the pressure. Every activity is always supervised by the military. So, now the freedom of civil society must be upheld.
“When I was a student in 1990s, the places for discussion in campus were visited by ABRI. We were continuously watched. In fact, we had difficulty to get permission to hold discussion,” said Dr. Herlambang.
Asfinafati emphasized that the task of every element of the nation is to continue the reform agenda in security sector. The use of violence (Militarism, ed) should not exist anymore because it will threaten the freedom of civil society.
Before closing the event, Siti explained that the task of the military was to protect the country’s territory and citizens. The military must not interfere in work of civil society. “We fight for the continued freedom of every citizen. There is no pleasure in living in a repressive atmosphere, “he added. (*)
Author: Ransis Putra Gaut
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
