Veterans Still Face Struggles in Old Age

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

A former freedom fighter waits to enter the room at the Grand Daffam Signature Hotel, Surabaya, East Java, Monday (12/8/2019). To welcome the Republic of Indonesia\'s Independence Day and part of the tribute to his services, the hotel management invited 90 former freedom fighters to spend the night and enjoy all the facilities at the hotel.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – In their twilight years, the veterans who spent their youth fighting for and defending the country’s independence are still struggling to meet their daily needs. Even though they do not give voice to any complaints, the state must be present in improving their welfare.

In line with Law No. 15/2002 on Veterans, “veteran” is defined as freedom fighters (1945-1949), defenders of state independence (those who fought in the Trikora, Dwikora and Seroja military operations), peacetime veterans and posthumous veterans. Defense Ministry data shows that Indonesia has 139,500 veterans. They receive a monthly allowance and compensation ranging from Rp 2.6 million (US$177.96) to Rp 2.9 million, depending on their rank and years of service.

Even though they do not give voice to any complaints, the state must be present in improving their welfare.

The Kompas May 2020 survey showed that 62.1 percent of respondents believed that the veterans allowance was too low. In comparison, the current minimum wage in Jakarta is Rp 4.2 million per month. The survey also found that 56.8 percent of respondents said that veteran families were barely able to make ends meet, while 22.4 percent were concerned about the daily lives of veteran families. Only 8 percent of respondents thought that veteran families had an adequate living standard.

During a Kompas discussion with veterans across several regions in the last week of May, many did not voice any complaints, despite their financial struggles.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Zainal Abidin, 92, a fighter for Indonesian independence from Banda Aceh

One example is freedom fighter Zainal Abidin, 92, of Ulee Kareng in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, who still rides his old bicycle. He was previously a construction worker, but had to stop due to old age. Now, he depends on the veteran allowance to get by. “I am grateful that the government gives me an allowance every month. Even if it’s only Rp 2.8 million, it means so much,” Zainal said.

Tarno, 75, a veteran of the 1961 Trikora operation in Papua, lives in a small rented home in Kembangan, West Jakarta, along with his son, daughter-in-law and six grandchildren. Four months ago, he stopped selling balloons at Bojong Indah market in Cengkareng because he ran out of money. Tarno now relies on his veteran allowance and compensation of Rp 2.7 million a month, Rp 1.3 million of which he spends on rent.

In Magelang, Central Jakarta, 93-year-old Abak Rofin has yet to receive his veteran status. He retired from the Mobile Brigade and was stationed in Papua for six months during the Trikora operation. He has several obstacles, including a copy of his military order and witness statements.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Former freedom fighters attend the theatrical performance History of the Surabaya Red and White Flag Tearing at the Majapahit Hotel, Surabaya, Thursday (19/9/2019).

Unequal welfare

Indonesian Veterans Legion (LVRI) deputy chair Maj. Gen. (Ret) Bantu Hardjijo said that there were different levels in veterans welfare. Veterans of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the civil service might lead better lives, as they receive both a government pension and veteran allowance. However, veterans who fought in the war for independence when they were young receive no pension and face more hardships.

Bantu said that the government’s attention was improving, citing the 25 percent hike to the veterans’ health fund in 2018. “The government’s attention is improving in line with their capacity,” he said.

Our appreciation can never compare to their services, but we are doing our best.

Defense potential director general Bondan Tiara Sofyan of the Defense Ministry said that the government appreciated the state’s soldiers. “Our appreciation can never compare to their services, but we are doing our best. We are now facing budget cuts at the Defense Ministry, but the veterans fund remains the same,” he said.

Bondan said that not all veterans received their allowances. The validity of veteran documents was an issue. The Defense Ministry must be careful, as there have been cases of people falsifying their veteran status to receive the allowance. Therefore, the verification process must comprise several stages.

KOMPAS/DIAN DEWI PURNAMASARI

Tarno, 75, a former freedom fighter of Trikora and Dwikora, has a light moment with his granddaughter in a rented house in Kembangan, West Jakarta, Friday (30/5/2020).

Historika Foundation executive patron Hendi Johari said that veterans had been defrauded by people deliberately misusing their documents to take their allowance. However, he also complained that the veteran status requirements were too strict.

History professor Azyumardi Azra of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) has urged the government to continue to improve veterans welfare. Regarding the issue of nonregistered veterans, he said that the government should not allow be shackled by administrative issues.