By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I]
One afternoon, as I met my 328 Battalion men on the battalion field, I asked them: ‘Officers, don’t you think we should just cut these trees surrounding the field?’
Suddenly, someone behind me replied, ‘Don’t do it, Pak.’ I saw a Corporal was squatting behind me.
He was a Corporal from Central Java. I asked, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, we all wait for the routine roll call under these trees’ shade, Pak. If we cut them down, this field would be hot and dusty, Pak.’
I looked at him and said, ‘Corporal, you’re right.’ I told everyone, ‘Listen, this Corporal is more honest than all of you.’ Everyone smiled and agreed.
Indonesians have a bad habit that we know as ABS, ‘Asal Bapak Senang’ meaning as long as the boss is happy. ABS is like an acute disease that often plunges our nation into the abyss of misery. Subordinates would lie to please their superiors. Superiors would lie to please their subordinates.
Many people do so because they are not capable and lack discipline, so that they would cook up falsehoods. They lie to their superiors, lie to their brothers, and lie to their men.
When I was the 328 Battalion Commander, I wanted to test whether my officers had ABS habits or were honest and open. I did not want my officers to respect me just because of my rank and my position.
So, one afternoon, I gathered them all; mostly were AKABRI graduates. There were also several SECAPA graduates. I gathered everyone in the main field. At that time, the field of 328 Battalion was surrounded by tall trees.
I understand that trees benefit the environment as they cool the surrounding area. But I wanted to test my officers. So, I asked them, ‘Officers, what do you think of these trees? Don’t you think that we should just cut them? Do you agree with me?’
They seemed shocked, but I kept going, ‘I think these trees block the view from my office. We’re soldiers. We have to have a wide field of vision. So, the field should have no obstacles. Let’s cut them down. This way, I can see the troops from my office. What do you think?’
I called the troops by name, one by one. Deep down, I knew that they did not agree, but they all said, ‘Yes, Pak! Good idea, Pak!.’ Everyone agreed just because I had expressed my opinion as the Battalion Commander.
They thought, if the Commander said so, they had no right to contradict him.
Suddenly, someone behind me replied, ‘Don’t do it, Pak.’ I saw a Corporal was squatting behind me. He was a corporal from Central Java. I asked him, ‘Why, Corporal? What do you mean?’
‘Well, don’t do it, Pak. These trees are 20 years old. We planted them when we were young. We all wait for the routine roll call under their shade, Pak. If we cut them down, this field would be hot and dusty, Pak.’
I looked at him and said, ‘Corporal, you’re right.’ I told everyone, ‘Listen, this corporal is more honest than all of you. You all are just afraid of me, while he is not afraid of me.’ Everyone smiled, laughed and agreed.
It was an important lesson. Sometimes those with low ranks, whose position is below us, wong cilik (ordinary people), are more honest than those with high ranks and high positions. In human history, it has been proven again and again. I also experienced this. This is such a valuable lesson for us.
