TNI's strategy<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) is in full force in Maluku these
\ndays and it does not seem to help the local population much.
\nActually, the situation there is even worse than in Aceh where
\nthey are not active. We wonder what would happen if TNI was back
\nthere. Another civil war?<\/p>\n
In May 1998, TNI (under the field command of a good -- yes,
\nthey can be good! -- military member such as Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin)
\nneeded one day to strongly intervene in a peaceful and clever
\nmanner to secure Jakarta as one of the biggest cities of the
\nworld. So what has TNI been doing for improving the situation in
\nAmbon, a small city? Well, nothing in my opinion. Who cares after
\nall? Members of the House of Representatives do not seem
\ninterested in asking that question to Wiranto though hundreds of
\npeople are murdered in the region in a civil war between
\nChristians and Muslims.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was praised in the past for its religious harmony,
\nbut all this achievement has now been wasted. Many people are
\ncriticizing President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, and his team
\nfor this, but are they controlling TNI and the police as it
\nshould be their right? I don't think so.<\/p>\n
Anyway, if I were in a position to advise the government, I
\nwould not send TNI back to Aceh based on what is going on in
\nMaluku. Why would the result be different than Aceh? Where is the
\nguarantee that TNI will secure Aceh as it did in Jakarta in May
\n1998? Things have already gone too far. Does TNI need
\ninstructions from Gus Dur to do its job in Maluku? No, of course
\nnot. This should be the responsibility of Gen. Wiranto.<\/p>\n
As a foreigner who has spent eight years in your country, I
\nhave learned to appreciate it. I am going to leave with my family
\nnext month, and I wish you all the best for the next 20 years ...
\nalthough I am more pessimistic about your future than most of
\nyour well-paid and unnecessary political and economic experts
\nare.<\/p>\n
As long as law enforcement remains weak, as long as the dual
\nfunction of TNI remains strong and as long as you do not change
\nyour feudalistic-like system in society resulting in extremely
\nhigh violence (exploitation of the bottom by the top at all
\nlevels of your civil society can only result in violence),
\nIndonesia will not sail in the right direction. The direction of
\nan open democracy giving the same opportunities to everybody is a
\ngoal that although has progressed a lot since the mid-1930's,
\neven Western democracies have not reached yet.<\/p>\n
YVAN MAGAIN<\/p>\n
Bandung<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tnis-strategy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }