The Resolute Soldier
By: K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid
The Deep Lines On His Tense Face contrast with his relaxed posture is slightly fearsome for someone meeting L.B. Moerdani for the first time. Strengthening this initial impression is the fact he is not forthcoming in conversation. I felt exactly this the first time I met this four star general, when he was Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) in 1984. This first impression of mine quickly subsided when he showed greater understanding of the subject I was proposing, far more than I generally expected from a person in his position. Continually, throughout our conversation, I believed he understood what I was driving at and was trying to meet me at least halfway. In other words, he was not your archetypal official or leader rambling all over the place with political shibboleths or blowing their own trumpet without ever trying to grasp what the other person is saying.
Getting to know L.B. Moerdáni is like communicating with anyone else. Discussion with him is lively, and he shows a deep appreciation of what is being said to him. He often interlaces his conversation with literary expressions. I have chatted to him at length enjoyably over spy novels, such as those by John Le Carre, Frederick Forsythe and Len Deighton. Yet our discussions over John Gardner’s “Garden of Weapons” were more detailed. L.B. Moerdani is clearly an avid and discerning reader, at least of certain kinds of books This is rare in our officers and senior official circles as many would prefer to play golf and other sports.
L.B. Moerdani, as an intelligence officer, was required to know lots of things and have a good grip of many problems, particularly the background of those talking to him. He has a strong thirst for knowledge. He has retained considerable information over the years which provides him with an enormous background. L.B Moerdani is never troubled recalling facts or data in a discussion. In other words, this store of knowledge is natural to him. He uses it constantly and actively He is like H.B Jassin, who can speak on all and every aspect of Indonesian literature, effortless digging out facts from his mind when questioned.
This facet of the man is probably hidden from public view, so that he seems to have entirely predictable stereotype opinions, just like any other government official or ABRI officer. With his physical appearance as I first noted, this subsequent impression is further strengthened. Undoubtedly, this possibly makes younger persons cautious and defensive when addressing L.B Moerdani. Because of his taciturn appearance and brevity of conversation, it appears that L B. Moerdani is rigid, confirming a feeling he is a “one dimensional man” for those unable to get to know this man. In truth, he has always enjoyed and accepted my sarcastic and biting jokes. He really enjoys a good joke, displaying a whimsical side to his humour which negates any impression of a rigid and unbending soldier. There is no doubt that he is able to make a strict and disciplined compartmentalisation of the military man from the civilian.
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From this biography which I have in front of me, it became clear to me that the multi-faceted personality of LB Moerdani displays an integral part of his military career as well as his civilian life. It was understandable that he initially got involved as a guerilla fighter without knowing where it would lead to as so many young men of his age did in that revolutionary period It just does not make sense that he would at this stage possess the sense of duty which would characterise him in later years. So starting with his unintentional involvement in guerilla warfare, he was forged by changing events into a person who was obedient to orders and mission oriented. The often apparent fool-hardy heroism of the young freedom fighters who relentlessly fought the Dutch army of occupation, generally was interlocked with fear and nervousness in order to save themselves in critical occasions. It was not their basic character trait at all. It only reflected the ups and downs faced by a young freedom fighter flung into the cauldron of war. Probably these ups and downs were much the same as experienced by Mao Ze Dong when made the “Long March” in the 1930s
The seeds of Benny’s personal development started to mature when he decided to enter reserve officer training P3AD in Bandung in 1951. The reason put forward in this biography for this is that he feared he would be separated from his own age group if he had to return to the school desk. This tells us he entered his military career as your average sort of person, not someone fired by the spirit of explosive heroism. From this point onwards, it becomes patently clear why L.B. Moerdanı is able to develop two differing, yet inseparable, aspects to his personality when executing his duties Firstly, the ability to undertake a task as an individual, demonstrating outstanding achievement Secondly, to be a member of a group, always protecting the totality and unity of the group in short, an excellent team player This is always scrutinised in a leader’s capabilities, to determine whether the individual’s outstanding personal achievements will enhance the quality of the group he leads, or just become an irresponsible burden for the group itself. It was the essence of his ability to develop his individual performance within the framework of their group which colours the military career (and later intelligence career) carved out by L.B. Moerdani.
If this sort of leadership attitude is applied in a broader sense to the framework of national relations, such as applied to the concept of Dwifungsi as it relates to the position of Armed Forces Commander or applied to the pattern of national development based upon improving the common lot while at the same time defending national stability, it can been seen how essential L.B. Moerdani’s style of leadership is to Indonesia Personally, I have never accepted this imperative of the concept of stability because it too often induces excesses by those implementing it. Whatever our individual opinions, the protection of stability must remain for development and it is clearly understood that this only done through government’s transformative powers This is understood by LB Moerdani
As an illustration of this, about halfway through his tour of duty as ABRI Commander, I met with L.B. Moerdanı to ask if T. Mulya Lubis could be removed from the ‘blacklist’ to allow him to travel overseas I proposed to him that Mulya would take further studies in the United States to mature him for his future role in national legal struggles The ABRI Commander asked me was it not true that Mulya and his friends at the Legal Aid Institute1 had committed subversion by inciting labourers to jeopardise national stability. To this I replied that Mulya’s colleagues at the Legal Aid Institute had certainly strengthened the labourer’s consciousness with regard to their constitutional rights “Including going on strike?” queried L. B. Moerdani pointedly I responded to this saying, “Sure, the labourers were misinformed about their rights about going on strike, but this was never used on this occasion.” The ABRI Commander enquired, “When?” I replied that it was likely they would strike in 15 years more L.B. Moerdani countered this saying, it could only be done after another 20 years. His reason. Indonesia’s overall economy could not withstand the effects of a disturbance caused by widespread strike.
This illustration demonstrates clearly that L.B. Moerdani places the concept of stability within a framework for development which always looks to the future and which has a momentum and durability of its own. If this attitude also has become part of his pattern of thinking about problems related to our national development, the accumulative result is statesmanship which all of us must admire. This is the reason I respect LB Moerdanı This respect is considered by some narrow minded individuals to be a political conspiracy between the two of us. My need to communicate with those in power who have a wide perspective and forward thinkers is important in order to protect collectively our national unity and solidarity. L.B. Moerdani’s need for inputs from me to develop his statesmanship, has created a close relationship between us. A relationship which has not bonded us together against the rest, but a mutual relationship which bonded us together for matters of national importance. It was unforeseen that this relationship would benefit both parties, but it is a real relationship and now a logical consequence of this relationship. I do not disavow that the NU² have profited from our relationship in a variety of ways, and equally I am sure that L.B. Moerdani also has profited personally in other aspects This does not in any way mean in our relationship there is an evil design of a mutually manipulative kind.
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John F. Kennedy quoted Earnest Hemmingway in defining courage ‘Courage is grace under pressure’. In his book ‘Profiles of Courage’, Kennedy describes eight US senators who had the courage to put their political careers on the line to oppose the mainstream of politics at the time. Several succeeded in over-coming their crisis and were able to continue their political career. Others were defeated by the political current which swept away cach senator’s opposition. All of these men appear to have a basic political integrity which distinguishes them from the average run-of-the-mill politician. This sort of characteristic can be readily identified in those who oppose the mainstream.
LB Moerdani has never explicitly opposed the mainstream. Does this mean he has only average integrity? If so, is not his statesmanship of like degree, only average? What gives him the right to take a place in Indonesia’s history, apart from the fact that he once held many important posts in our country? What gives him the right considered Commander in Chief Gen Soedirman’s heir and executor? As the English put it, ‘Is he worthy of the mantle?”
It is hard to assess the quality of L.B Moerdani’s statesmanship and leadership if one uses the yardstick of political integrity as used in ‘Profiles of Courage’. This is because we have to use other yardsticks because opposing the political mainstream is not the only measure which can be used. One yardstick that can be used is consistency in execution of his duties. This criteria 1s readily observed in L.B. Moerdani’s life from the time he was a guerilla fighter, as student at P3AD, and in the subsequent phases in his military career. For example, without displaying his inner fear, how he faced a Dutch soldier in a Panzer, with the cannon pointed at him, discussed in Dutch ceasefire arrangements between the Dutch and the Indonesian freedom fighters. He feared it was simply a trap to shoot him at point blank range, yet his consistency brought him through with no disastrous result. How he parachuted into Simpangtiga, in Riau Province, without any parachute training without killing himself. Or how he was forced to hurriedly leave his jacket with the photos of his sweetheart in the pocket during a surprise Dutch attack in Merauke, Irian Jaya without becoming a casualty Or his obedience to the corps, or his loyalty to duty when he entered the Marine Headquarters in Jakarta only in tennis clothes and quickly became a target for their anger because they were brawling with the RPKAD –the commandos– L.B. Moerdani’s own unit. He did what had be done. This approach appears consistently throughout his service to the corps and to the state, including his deflection of Bung Karno’s invitation to leave the RPKAD and joining the Tjakrabirawa, the presidential guard
His consistency in his approach to his duties was not rigidly applied, often adopting the best approach under the circumstances. Because he is totally human, he resented the intrigue behind his departure from RPKAD to KOSTRAD –the strategic reserve– ordered by the then Minister/Army Commander Gen A. Yani. He did not react strongly to this order although it is obvious he was embittered by the reasons for the move, not the move itself. In a way, this displays his political integrity.
This political integrity of L.B. Moerdani’s, although flexible, remains total. It is like the story when the Allies seized Berlin at the end of World War Two whereupon being invited by Marshall Zhukov of the USSR to make a toast, General Patton said he did not want to drink with ‘those Russian bastards’. Angrily, Zhukov retorted he did not want to drink with ‘those American bastards’ Here Patton’s flexibility and integrity came through, saying in that case they could drink together, without representing their own countries, as they were both bastards.
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For me associating with L.B Moerdani has given me a new insight into the personal complexity of a leader who has a multiple role to play to many parties in many areas For the Catholic community, he is a leader whom they hope will protect them as well a ensure space for them in Indonesia’s national life. Notwithstanding, he is called upon to attend to the other communities outside his own as a apart of his total service to Indonesia. How he is able to do this in an even handed manner and without denying either, is one of the yardsticks of leadership which he possesses.
As a soldier, L.B. Moerdani must respect Sapta Marga which in turn demands submission to one’s superiors. Except he is fully aware that abuse of authority and a leader’s responsibility to the real rules of the game and to the initially agreed plan, requires a critical attitude towards leadership, which is self driven. When he was forced to witness RPKAD NCOs detain their officers at Batujajar, although not involved at all, he acted to secure the RPKAD leadership at the same time guaranteeing the safety of those who might have been killed by the NCOs who felt they had been betrayed by their leaders. In other words, L.B. Moerdani was able to command respect from below while simultaneously adhering to existing hierarchy. This one of his characteristics which shows his personal integrity as leader who should be respected.
In crises, his ability to see below and above at the same time as illustrated above, resulted in a mature attitude to managing inter-personal relations in any organisation which he headed. His protest to his RPKAD commander, when invalids were to be expelled from the unit, only resulted in his expulsion. This, demonstrated his commitment to duty, not wishing to damage that institution in any way.
Although there are many positive aspects to L.B. Moerdani’s person and leadership, I am unable to understand or accept certain of his attitudes or views. Undoubtedly this originates from our differing backgrounds. As a general he believes all means can be used to prevent disturbances or instability. Thus, he is completely unable to condone student demonstrations, which is something I view as their basic right.
If I just stop at this point, I would not be fair to my conscience. Oftentimes his strength of opinion and his attitude disturb my conscience like when this retired general implemented President Soeharto’s plan to clean up the criminal elements, which became commonly known as “the mysterious killings” As a person who holds high basic human rights, I cannot accept any need for this policy. These criminals had been sentenced, regardless of how insignificant their sentences were They did not deserve to be tried again without due legal process. Especially, when they were shot like a dog and flung to the roadside as an example to others. This really upset me. I felt I could learn nothing about leadership from leaders like L.B. Moerdani. It was solely my belief, he was still a leader in every sense of the word, who had great spirit, stuck to long term values and who had a far sighted vision for our country, that partly consoled me at that dark time. Time heals all wounds and given time I was able to restore my respect for L.B. Moerdani by seeing the positive and constructive points of his leadership as I have outlined above
But this does not remove my deep concern that these terrifying attitudes and actions could be repeated. To prevent this possibility, I formed the Democracy Forum. We must become a civilised nation and uphold the sovereignty of law This I feel is one of LB Moerdani’s ideals and as well members of our armed forces. It was this conviction that encouraged me to form the Democracy Forum as an instrument for communal dialogue to put behind us the bitterness of the past, but at the same time learning not to repeat it in the future. I feel by proposing these high flown dreams that our armed forces officers will join with us to achieve this worthy ideal. In this context I believe I have placed a man of the calibre of L.B. Moerdani in his correct role, that is for the importance of our future generations.
footnote
- Lembaga Bantuan Hukum – LBH
- Nahdlatul Ulama – NU-The Awakening of the Religious Teachers Islamic Party