Politics and the military<\/p>\n
The Indonesian military (TNI) commander Admiral Widodo made an
\nhonest admission in parliament: Changing the (Indonesian)
\nmilitary culture is difficult. It is difficult to achieve even
\nthough a new paradigm has emerged and a new concept has been
\ncoined: a redefinition, repositioning and reorganization of the
\nTNI.<\/p>\n
The difficulties are easy to understand, but not to tolerate.
\nThey are understandable because the exercise of power has become
\nsecond nature to the TNI. It has become like a culture, a
\ndoctrine. The military's power has been institutionalized and
\ninternalized over a span of decades, and given legitimacy through
\nthe dwifungsi (dual function) concept. Imagine the consequences
\nif an institution that is armed, controls superior logistics, is
\nin possession of trained personnel and is well organized, is also
\ngiven political powers and a legitimacy that springs from its
\nhistory.<\/p>\n
It must be said that a civilian government had better be able
\nto exercise control over the military. To exercise control,
\nhowever, does not mean to be in command, because this would mean
\nthat the military would once again become an instrument of the
\ngovernment -- the error we made in the past and which our reform
\nmovement is now trying to correct.<\/p>\n
Governments can be replaced every five years through general
\nelections. The military, however, will remain. They are no
\ngovernment instrument. Their political bearing follows that of
\nthe state. Governments can change and must change, for the sake
\nof renewal through general elections. The state, however, remains
\nunchanged.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/politics-and-the-military-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }