The future TNI: A responsive, capable armed forces<\/p>\n
Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Former Governor National Resilience Institute
\n(Lemhanas), Jakarta<\/p>\n
Every year on Oct. 5 the Indonesian Military (TNI) celebrates
\nits anniversary. It was 58 years ago that Indonesia developed its
\nnational armed forces from the existing People's Security Agency
\n(BKR). The first name of the armed forces was the Tentara
\nKeamanan Rakyat (People's Armed Security Forces), later changed
\nto the Tentara Keselamatan Rakyat (People's Armed Forces for
\nSafety) and then later the Tentara Republik Indonesia (the
\nRepublic of Indonesia Military).<\/p>\n
The latest name change back to the TNI (after the name ABRI or
\nthe Indonesian Armed Forces was used from 1964 to 1999) was made
\nto stress that the armed forces represented the people's struggle
\nagainst colonialism. This change included the integration of all
\nthe armed organizations formed by the people since the
\nproclamation of independence in 1945, like the Barisan
\nPemberontakan Rakyat Indonesia (Indonesian People's Front for
\nStruggle) and others.<\/p>\n
The TNI is therefore an armed forces that from the start
\ndefended national sovereignty and integrity against all foreign
\nintrusions, but at the same time always had the people's
\ninterests and aspirations at heart.<\/p>\n
Independence fighters of the 1945 generation share the
\nconviction that the TNI was more a result of the determined
\npeople's struggle against the forces of colonialism who intended
\nto return to Indonesia after the end of World War II in 1945,
\nrather than a formal government action to provide the new
\nrepublic with an official armed forces.<\/p>\n
This could explain why among most of the 1945 Independence
\nfighters the TNI is not just an organization for national defense
\nbut more so an organization to defend and promote the people's
\naspirations and interests as formulated in the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
This character of the TNI can be considered unique compared to
\narmed forces in other nations. It was also this characteristic
\nthat made possible a continuing struggle against the Dutch when
\nin December 1948, the Dutch military forces imprisoned then
\npresident Sukarno and vice president Mohammad Hatta and the whole
\ncabinet after the occupation of Yogyakarta by the Dutch forces.<\/p>\n
Other armed forces might have ended their struggle when their
\ngovernment ceased to function. But that was not the TNI attitude
\nand with the leadership of then commander Gen. Sudirman, the TNI
\nand the people continued the struggle until the Dutch recognized
\nthe sovereignty and independence of Indonesia in December 1949.<\/p>\n
Now we are in 2003 and the TNI faces an entirely different
\nsituation in Indonesia and global environment. Nobody doubts that
\nin the past the TNI made very important contributions to the
\nRepublic as well as to the life of many in Indonesia. Without
\nthese contributions it is highly questionable whether the
\nRepublic would still exist today.<\/p>\n
However the TNI also made some big mistakes that darkened its
\nformer reputation as the people's armed forces. This is one of
\nthe main reasons why the TNI since 1998 became a target of strong
\ncriticism by many people.<\/p>\n
It is important today that the TNI is now willing and able to
\nlook ahead while still implementing its basic function as the
\ndefender of the Republic and its people.<\/p>\n
First, the TNI must be able to put itself in the right
\nposition within a democratic political system. As defender of
\nPancasila, the nation's state philosophy, the TNI must defend
\ndemocracy as one of Pancasila's values. The right position for
\nthe TNI is to place itself fully under the control of the
\ngovernment which by implication cannot be anything else other
\nthan civilian control.<\/p>\n
Second, the TNI must improve its capability as a defense
\norganization to be able to always secure the national interests
\nand sovereignty. It means that the TNI should pursue the highest
\npossible professionalism as a military establishment, making use
\nof the many developments in science and technology, including all
\nthe weapons systems development in the dynamic global
\nenvironment.<\/p>\n
It is the obligation of every Indonesian government to provide
\nthe TNI with the maximum possibility to become a highly
\ndependable defense organization with capabilities complementing
\neach other at sea, on land and in the air. The Republic as an
\narchipelagic state depends very much for its sovereignty and the
\nachievement of prosperity on a highly dependable and professional
\nTNI that can match other armed forces in the world.<\/p>\n
Third, the TNI should always maintain a close relationship
\nwith the people as the main strength of its defense obligations.
\nBeing a highly professional military armed forces must not
\nprevent the TNI from being close to the people.<\/p>\n
It is not an easy task for the government as well as for the
\nTNI to realize these objectives. Political, economic and other
\nfactors do not always support these endeavors. Nevertheless, the
\npeople will always look forward to a strong and dependable TNI
\nthat they can trust to represent them and defend their interests.
\nLet that motivate the TNI leadership in achieving its objectives.<\/p>",
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