New military paradigm<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
Now that people are every day of their lives concerned with
\nmatters pertaining to security and public order -- especially
\nafter the bloody May riot and similar riots in Ambon, Ketapang,
\nKupang, Sambas, Aceh and elsewhere across the country -- the
\nabove issue is worth posing to the Indonesian Military (TNI).
\nAmid intensified public euphoria in the run-up to the June 7,
\n1999, general election, the community's phobia for matters
\nrelated to security and order has assumed increasingly greater
\nprominence.<\/p>\n
As members of this Indonesian nation, however, we must all be
\naware that security is our responsibility and not solely the
\nmilitary's. Therefore, if we need an atmosphere where the feeling
\nof security will prevail, the only way is to ensure that the June
\n7, 1999, general election is held peacefully. Political parties
\ntaking part in the upcoming general election must immediately
\ndevote their attention to handling problems related to security
\nand order. It will be so much better if political parties make
\nthese problems the main theme of their campaigns.<\/p>\n
One thing which must be remembered is that one should never
\nturn this main theme into mere rhetoric, but that one should try
\nto hypothetically state whether or not one is capable of
\ndeterring or even removing something that threatens to disrupt
\nsecurity and order. Security and order are the joint
\nresponsibility of the community and TNI and the Indonesian Police
\n(Polri).<\/p>\n
If we go over the history of the military in Indonesia, we can
\nsee the military has undergone interesting developments. From the
\ninception of TNI in 1945, and then on to 1950, 1960 and the
\npresent day, the changes TNI underwent have been highly
\ninfluenced by political affairs.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, the structure of our military forces has, from the
\nrevolution period in 1945 down to the present day, been tinkered
\nwith, owing to certain political interests. The inclusion of the
\nIndonesian Police into the structure of the military in Indonesia
\nis an apt example of how political interests have influenced the
\nmilitary structure. Everybody knows that the army is intended for
\ndefensive purposes, while the police are meant to maintain public
\norder.<\/p>\n
The inclusion of the police force into the military forces,
\ntherefore, did not take place quite naturally. As a result, the
\npolice were also required to be responsible for defense matters,
\nwhile TNI was concerned with problems relating to community
\norder. The inclusion of the police force into the structure of
\nthe Armed Forces made it easy for TNI to be politicized.<\/p>\n
In the present reform era, the separation of the police from
\nthe Indonesian Armed Forces, as from April 1, 1999, is something
\nthat must be gladly welcomed. Hopefully this separation is in
\nline with the new paradigm of TNI and is not simply a solution or
\na hypothesis.<\/p>\n
ZULASRIL, NA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-military-paradigm-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }