Juwono is ideal man for the job<\/p>\n
For the first time the post of Minister of Defense and Security
\ngoes to a civilian, former deputy governor of the National
\nResilience Institute Juwono Sudarsono, and the Indonesian
\nMilitary is no longer in the hands of an army officer. Political
\nresearcher Mahrus Irsyam of the University of Indonesia talks to
\nThe Jakarta Post on these changes.<\/p>\n
Question: The Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander is now Admiral
\nWidodo. Would the army, which has been in power for so long, be
\nable to accept being led by someone from the navy?<\/p>\n
Answer: At this stage I cannot imagine they can do so but if the
\narmy is willing to be forward-looking, they should be able to
\nunderstand. It will be good for TNI to be led by Widodo. Most of
\nour territory is sea as compared to land.<\/p>\n
It would be even better to do away with the position of the
\nTNI Commander altogether, because this job could be a source of
\ncompetition among the forces. It could be changed to chairman of
\nthe Joint Chiefs of Staff who would answer to the president,
\nwhich would be held in rotation by the respective chiefs of all
\nthe forces.<\/p>\n
Also, the Coordinating Ministry for Defense and Security
\nshould be phased out in the future. Coordinating ministries in
\nthe past were just created to maintain loyalty to Soeharto, so
\nministers could not get direct access to him.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Defense and Security should only be the
\nMinistry of Defense. Security should be held by the police and
\nnot be part of the Ministry of Defense.<\/p>\n
Q: What do you think about Juwono as Minister of Defense and
\nSecurity?<\/p>\n
A: Juwono is the ideal man for the job because he will be able to
\ncarry out the required reforms in the ministry. If the post were
\ngiven to an active or even retired TNI member, they would not be
\nable to make changes in the military's structure.<\/p>\n
The necessary changes include a review of the defense and
\nsecurity law. All matters will have to be discussed with the
\nHouse of Representatives now because of the implications for
\ncivilians and to ensure that TNI is not abused by those in power.<\/p>\n
It will have to be decided whether the military wants to
\nmaintain regional military commands or provincial military
\ncommands.<\/p>\n
Noncommissioned Army officers responsible for the management
\nof village affairs (babinsa) must also be done away with.<\/p>\n
Q: Would the military be willing to give up all that given that such
\ninstitutions have been said to be its source of power and income?<\/p>\n
A: They will have to if they want to reform themselves (TNI has
\nintroduced its \"New Paradigm\" -- ed). This definitely would have
\nimplications on their businesses. Military cooperatives should no
\nlonger be attached to local military commands because they could
\nabuse power which they don't have.<\/p>\n
According to the law (on regional administration) the governor
\nor a regent is the sole authority in a given province or region.<\/p>\n
So all this time there has been a violation of this law, given
\nthe power of the local military commanders and an abuse of the
\nrights of civilians.<\/p>\n
The military should have to answer to governors or regents in
\ntheir respective areas, and they could help provide security when
\nrequired.<\/p>\n
The military will have to prepare their pensioners to stand on
\ntheir own two feet. They should no longer be allowed to enter
\nstate-run companies. They could develop the cooperatives ... with
\ncapital from military-run firms.<\/p>\n
Q: In a joint paper for a workshop on the military, you proposed the
\nphasing out of the territorial system starting in Aceh with the
\nwithdrawal of all troops, leaving only three military bases for
\nexternal defense. Why did you propose one of the areas where the
\nmilitary seems most keen in keeping a presence? Isn't it too
\nsensitive?<\/p>\n
A: The military presence in Aceh is the most sensitive
\nto civilians there. The contribution of the people of Aceh to the
\nRepublic is very significant and this must be taken into account.
\n(anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/juwono-is-ideal-man-for-the-job-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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