TNI to keep local role: Minister<\/p>\n
M. Taufiqurrahman and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Although the government backed down from its demand that the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI)'s territorial role be reintroduced in
\nthe new military bill, the physical presence of soldiers under a
\nterritorial command in the regions is likely to continue, the top
\nsecurity minister said.<\/p>\n
Interim coordinating minister for political and security
\naffairs Hari Sabarno said on Wednesday the territorial command
\nwould be maintained to boost the country's defenses and protect
\nits territorial integrity.<\/p>\n
\"If the defense ministry decides on recruiting volunteers for
\nmilitary service, this territorial command will serve as a means
\nto train such reserves,\" Hari said after a House of
\nRepresentatives plenary session to endorse a bill amending the
\ncurrent autonomy laws.<\/p>\n
He said priority would be given to regions that were prone to
\nconflict and at danger of incursions by foreign powers. \"The
\npriority will be given to regions that need the presence of
\ntroops down to the lowest level.\"<\/p>\n
Hari said there was no stipulation in the bill that touched on
\nthe dissolution of the territorial command.<\/p>\n
\"What matters is not its name but its role in defending the
\ncountry,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The territorial commands are not mentioned explicitly in the
\nbill; articles on the army, navy and air force only say that each
\nunit supports the TNI's task in strengthening its capacities.<\/p>\n
Military analysts and nongovernmental organizations had
\nexpressed concern over the issue, and said the decision to
\nmaintain the military's \"territorial role\" would lead to a repeat
\nof the intimidation that occurred in the past.<\/p>\n
During the three decades of former president Soeharto's
\nironfisted rule, the military's territorial role was abused to
\ncoerce the people into supporting the government.<\/p>\n
Legislator Happy Bone Zulkarnaen of Golkar acknowledged that
\nthe current structure of military offices in the regions would be
\nmaintained. However, the function of the regional military
\noffices will be modified, he said.<\/p>\n
Happy said the regional military offices -- including Regional
\nMilitary Commands (Kodam) in some provinces, Resort Military
\nCommands (Korem) in some strategic cities and District Military
\nCommands (Kodim) in the regencies -- were in the past used to
\nforce the government's wishes on the people.<\/p>\n
\"In the future, those offices will be used to empower the
\ndefense forces. The philosophy is different,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The military bill stipulates that the TNI's main duty is to
\nfight wars and engage in military operations other than war,
\nincluding fighting separatist rebels and terrorists, guarding
\nborder areas and vital objects, as well as engaging in
\nhumanitarian operations.<\/p>\n
National Awakening Party (PKB) legislator Effendi Choirie said
\non Wednesday that technically, the future of the regional
\nmilitary offices would be decided by the president, with approval
\nof the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Pataniari Siahaan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P) said military offices in the regions would
\nfocus on guarding border areas, conflict-prone areas and
\nresource-rich areas.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-to-keep-local-role-minister-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}