Faith in the TNI<\/p>\n
A public debate is raging over the Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nbill.<\/p>\n
As the TNI maintains that a law is needed to justify its
\nduties, activists burn placards in dissent, claiming the bill
\nprotracts the military's engagement in politics. Observers and
\npolitical scientists wrangle at great length over definitions of
\n\"command\" and \"structure\", while legislators hold public hearings
\nin a state of bemusement as though their minds were already made
\nup, in spite of the arguments presented.<\/p>\n
Much of the debate's essence is beyond the grasp of the
\nlayman, and those involved have failed to answer the question of
\n\"so what?\" with respect to the bill's relevance to a person's
\ndaily life. More importantly, draftsmen of the bill also seem
\noblivious to the underlying concerns of its opponents.<\/p>\n
Combined, these factors provide many average Indonesians --
\ndespite their lacking knowledge of legislative technicalities --
\na reason to suspect the TNI's shadowy presence.<\/p>\n
At the crux of the issue is a matter of trust.<\/p>\n
After its active role in supporting an autocracy for 32 years,
\nthe TNI cannot expect public perceptions to change overnight --
\nor over the relatively short span of six years, for that matter.<\/p>\n
Trust is earned, and the TNI has not worked hard enough for
\nit.<\/p>\n
They would do well to remember former U.S. Army chief of staff
\nGeorge Marshall who, in a letter to a subordinate in 1943,
\nunderlined the necessity of maintaining public trust at all
\ncosts.<\/p>\n
\"We (the military) have a great asset, and that is our people,
\nwho do not distrust us and do not fear us. Our countrymen, our
\nfellow citizens, are not afraid of us. They don't harbor any
\nconcerns that we intend to alter the government of the country or
\nthe nature of this government ... That is a sacred trust,\"
\nMarshall wrote.<\/p>\n
While we commend the TNI for seemingly taking a backseat in
\npolitics at the start of the reform era, we have noticed subtle,
\nincremental encroachments of the TNI's influence in recent
\ndevelopments.<\/p>\n
One reason for this has been the inherent fallibility of the
\nPresident's obsession with national unity. Her hyper-nationalism
\nprompted a realist approach that turned into a love affair with
\nthe Indonesian Military, allowing them to commence large-scale
\noperations in Aceh, among other concessions.<\/p>\n
A presumption also exists that when chaos emerges -- whether
\nperceived or real -- for whatever reason, the TNI is \"duty-bound\"
\nto step in and \"restore order\".<\/p>\n
Traditionally, the TNI has been mindful of staying in the
\nbackground and allowing political dynamics to dictate the course
\nof where and when they might be thrust into the foreground again.<\/p>\n
Hence, despite all its claims and adherence to constitutional
\nand legislative processes, the TNI's future plans remain an
\nunknown and of public concern.<\/p>\n
The TNI bill is just one aspect of the problematic civilian-
\nmilitary relationship, and other issues will arise on its role in
\nour democratically evolving political system, all stemming from
\nan underlying suspicion that has had over three decades to take
\nroot.<\/p>\n
In the end, it is a question of public trust -- something in
\nshort supply when it comes to the military.<\/p>\n
Civilian supremacy over military command should be
\nestablished as an unquestioned principle, irrespective of the
\nprevailing circumstances.<\/p>\n
The TNI must validate its own slogan of being \"the people's
\narmy\" and respect universal and constitutional rights -- as is
\nexpected of all citizens -- and relinquish the preferential
\ntreatment it has enjoyed.<\/p>\n
As one of our greatest generals and conceptualizer of the
\nmilitary's dual-function, A.H. Nasution, in a speech to cadets at
\nthe Military Academy in 1958 noted, the armed forces \"is but one
\nof the many elements of the state\" and should not be endowed with
\nprivileges nor estates above others.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/faith-in-the-tni-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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