Experts warn of low morale in TNI<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Political and military analysts warn of
\ndeclining morale among many middle and high ranking Army officers
\nwho have found themselves without a job, thanks to the withdrawal
\nof the Indonesian Military (TNI) from the political arena.<\/p>\n
More than 170 officers, including 13 generals, have no posts
\nin the Army structure at present.<\/p>\n
Competition for the few available posts in the Army's top
\nleadership therefore will likely become even fiercer. Only the
\nbest, or at times those with the right connections, can expect to
\nfurther their career in the military.<\/p>\n
The rest, according to the experts, should consider retiring
\nearly into civilian life.<\/p>\n
J. Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International
\nStudies (CSIS) said the growing ranks of officers without a post
\ncan be demoralizing not only for those affected but also for the
\nentire military.<\/p>\n
"They can feel dejected and frustrated. Later, they might
\nbecome apathetic to the nation's problems, or even to their duty
\nof defending the country.<\/p>\n
"This is dangerous because we need the TNI to guard this
\nnation," Kristiadi said.<\/p>\n
Legislator Ade Komaruddin of the Golkar Party said a solution
\nshould be found quickly.<\/p>\n
"We don't want the TNI to be angry and hold a grudge against
\ncivilians. This will only make things worst, and possibly lead to
\na military coup," Ade said.<\/p>\n
Lt. Gen. (ret.) Sayidiman Soerjohadiprodjo, a prominent
\nmilitary thinker, proposed that these officers be given training
\nin business to prepare them for early retirement.<\/p>\n
But they should be retained in the reserve forces of the Army
\nfor a few more years in case their services were needed.<\/p>\n
The jobless officers include three four-star generals: Tyasno
\nSudarto, who lost his job as Army chief of staff on Monday, his
\npredecessor Subagyo Hadisiswoyo and Fachrul Razi, who was removed
\nfrom his job as TNI deputy chief last month when President
\nAbdurrahman scrapped the post.<\/p>\n
Among the two lieutenant generals without a job is Agus
\nWirahadikusumah, former chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves
\nCommand (Kostrad) whose nomination for Army chief of staff by the
\nPresident was rejected by most of the top Army generals.<\/p>\n
The President is said to be insisting that Agus now be
\nappointed deputy chief of staff to fill the shoes of Gen.
\nEndriartono Sutarto, who has moved to the top Army job.<\/p>\n
The other unemployed lieutenant general is Suady Marasabessy
\nwhose last post was TNI chief of general affairs.<\/p>\n
There are six major generals without any posts: Saurip Kadi,
\nKivlan Zen, Muchdi PR, Zacky Anwar Makarim, Slamet Suprijadi and
\nYayat Rohadiat. Three of their peers -- Affandi, Syamsul Ma'arif,
\nand Sutadji -- are more fortunate, having recently been appointed
\nas legislators representing the TNI faction.<\/p>\n
The three brigadier generals without any posts are Idris
\nGassing, Eddy Budianto and Romulo Simbolon.<\/p>\n
In addition, more than 150 middle ranking officers, including
\ndozens of colonels, have no posts or are waiting for their next
\nassignment.<\/p>\n
Most middle-ranking officers lost their jobs after the
\ndissolution of Bakorstanas, the coordinating agency for national
\nstability and resilience, in Jakarta and the regions, this year.<\/p>\n
Some had also served as councilors or regency chiefs but these
\ncareer options too have been closed with the TNI now pulling out
\nfrom practical politics under the new political paradigm.<\/p>\n
The problem is not as severe in the Navy and the Air Force.<\/p>\n
The TNI has also ruled since last year that any officer
\nintending to take up civilian posts must first resign from active
\nservice. The ruling has been applied rigorously without any
\nexceptions, applying even to officers serving in the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
Sayidiman said the officers' career planning in the Army has
\nbeen distorted by the constant intervention by then president
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
An officer should ideally spend between three and four years
\nin a position before receiving a rank promotion but because of
\nthe political interference, many got theirs after only a few
\nmonths, he said.<\/p>\n
He recalled that Soeharto often personally recommended rank
\npromotions for officers who were seconded to non-military jobs
\nduring the height of the military's "dual function" concept.<\/p>\n
"If President Abdurrahman Wahid now wants to promote
\nprofessionalism in the military, he must pay more attention to
\nthe personnel management aspect of the Army," Sayidiman said.<\/p>\n
He said many middle-ranking officers have few prospects and
\nthat they should consider retiring early.<\/p>\n
"We suggest they go into business," he said, adding that the
\ngovernment could provide them with the necessary training and
\nmaybe even the capital. "Small and medium scale enterprises will
\nbe suitable for them" he said.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi proposed revamping the career system in the TNI to
\none based on meritocracy and free from political intervention.<\/p>\n
He agreed that the career planning system in the military had
\nbeen turned upside down by Soeharto who gave rapid promotions to
\nmany young officers in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Many officers held their jobs for a mere few months before
\nthey were moved to their next assignment, he said.<\/p>\n
This not only affected their professionalism but also the
\nunits they were entrusted to lead.<\/p>\n
"How could an officer lead Kostrad for only few months. He
\nshould serve at least two to three years," he said, referring to
\none of the top Army posts which has seen its commander changing
\nalmost constantly. In the past year alone, Kostrad has seen three
\ndifferent commanders.<\/p>\n
Ade said that with fewer jobs available for senior and middle
\nranking officers, most of them should consider early retirement.<\/p>\n
He believed that the number of generals in the Army must be
\ncurtailed in the future according to needs. The Council for High
\nRanking Promotions and Duty Rotations (Wanjakti) must revise its
\nsystem accordingly, he said. (edt\/02)<\/p>",
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