Kopassus is the people`s sonJakarta (ANTARA News) - Former vice president (VP) Jusuf Kalla said Kopassus is the backbone of the country and therefore it must be supported at all costs.
"Kopassus is the backbone of the Indonesian nation because during the country`s history all big operations to safeguard the country`s sovereignty have always involved Kopassus," he said after attending the commemoration of the 61th anniversary of the army`s special forces here on Tuesday.
He, however, also said any soldier could also make mistakes like in the case of penitentiary raid in Cebongan, Sleman, Central Java, recently that left four inmates dead.
"As human beings we are not perfect. There are also problems that we have to overcome. I was impressed by Hendropriyono`s (former chief of the State Intelligence Agency) statement that legally they (the soldiers involved in Cebongan case) may be wrong but morally they may be considered differently," he said.
Kalla said the judicial process of the Kopassus members involved in the Cebongan case certainly must continue but it must be for justice and not for seeking punishment for them.
Sharing Kalla`s view former deputy general commander of Kopassus, Sutiyoso, said the soldiers must be punished justly and not "as severely as possible. That is our hope."
Kopassus`s general commander Major General Agus Sutomo meanwhile said in his speech at the event that Kopassus is the state`s and the people`s asset and therefore people must safeguard it.
"This is the state`s weapon and so no one may destroy it," he said.
Hendropriyono meanwhile said after the ceremony that Kopassus must become more of people`s defender.
"Kopassus is the people`s son, who has sworn to always save the people. This is what Kopassus always to remember," he said.
The raid has drawn criticism although the inmates killed have been involved in the killing of a Kopassus member.
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
