Return of the Military?<\/p>\n
The establishment of the \"anti-terror desk\" by the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) on the basis of Law No. 34\/2004 as a reaction to
\nthe slow response of the Indonesian police has marked the
\ncomeback of the TNI into Indonesian politics.<\/p>\n
Whether we like it or not, this decision by President Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono government to rely on the TNI's intelligence
\nservice instead of improving the Indonesian police force has sent
\na negative signal to the masses. The assurance given by the TNI
\nthat they will act only as a support for the Indonesian Police in
\nits fight against the terror menace is not enough until it is
\nproven by their actions.<\/p>\n
The long history of the military's domination in Indonesian
\npolitics during the Soeharto period, and the fact that President
\nSusilo himself was a military officer, cannot rule out this
\npossibility.<\/p>\n
The fact that the Indonesian Police was partly successful in
\nsolving the previous terror cases is a proof that they have the
\ncapability to do their work and provide safety to the Indonesian
\npeople. Their inability to solve the mystery of the recent Bali
\nbombing cannot be regarded as their failure to perform. And
\ninstead of establishing the terror desk in the TNI, the
\ngovernment should improve the capability of Detachment 88 of the
\npolice force that is responsible for antiterror activities. The
\nresources of Indonesian intelligence (BIN) as well as those in
\nthe TNI should have been incorporated into this Detachment to
\nincrease their capability, and not by establishing an antiterror
\ndesk within the TNI.<\/p>\n
The establishment of the anti-terror desk in the TNI will
\ndilute the responsibility of the TNI as the nation's core
\ndefensive force towards foreign threats and subsequently reduce
\nthe important role of the police force in their efforts to
\nguarantee the safety and security of the people.<\/p>\n
Thus, if President Susilo's government is really willing to
\ntake the responsibility to assure the safety and security of the
\npeople, he should not rely on the TNI but instead must improve
\nthe police force as the vanguard of the fight against terror in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
AHMAD QISAI, New Delhi-India<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/return-of-the-military-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }