Toward a professional TNI<\/p>\n
Military Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto made an
\nencouraging statement the other day while overseeing preparations
\nfor Sunday's celebrations of the 58th anniversary of the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI), which will be held in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Addressing not only his soldiers but the whole nation as well,
\nGen. Endriartono emphasized the role of the military in defending
\nthe country. The TNI, he said, should be politically impartial
\nand not side with any political power or interest.<\/p>\n
He also appealed to all parties concerned not to drag the
\nmilitary back into politics, as was the practice in the past. The
\nmilitary, he said, needed to focus on reform and not let itself
\nbe drawn into the political power struggle in the run-up to next
\nyear's general election.<\/p>\n
Gen. Endriartono's appeal is timely for several reasons.<\/p>\n
First, what is at present known as the Tentara Nasional
\nIndonesia has in the last few years seemingly been wavering. Not
\nlong after the downfall of Soeharto, the leadership of the TNI
\nexpressed its commitment to reform and reorganizing its ranks. A
\ndecree issued by the People's Consultative Assembly in 2000 left
\nthe TNI with only three services: the Army, the Navy and the Air
\nForce. The National Police, which during the New Order
\nadministration was incorporated into the Armed Forces (ABRI), was
\nseparated from the TNI. Another decree issued the same year laid
\nout the principles in realigning its defense priorities.<\/p>\n
Basically, the reform agenda envisages a gradual exit from the
\nmilitary's long-held sociopolitical role in the running of the
\ncountry and refocuses on transforming itself into a more
\nprofessional, modern military power. This would entail forfeiting
\nits nonelected seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) and
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). It also calls for the
\ndismantling of the military territorial network, with commands
\nall the way down to the district level.<\/p>\n
The process started well enough with the restructuring of the
\nmilitary headquarters by abolishing its sociopolitical section
\nand territorial section. It responded to a historical challenge
\nin the correct manner, resisting then president Abdurrahman
\nWahid's undemocratic intention to declare a state of emergency in
\norder to preserve his power.<\/p>\n
Later on, however, the TNI seemed to be stalling in its reform
\nagenda. The forfeiting of the appointed legislative seats was
\ndeferred. The dismantling of its territorial network came to a
\nstop, to say the least. And its white paper on defense earlier
\nthis year raised lots of questions as to whether the TNI was
\nreally serious about its commitment to reform. Endriartono's
\nstatement in Surabaya, though, can be seen as a signal that the
\nTNI is returning to the genuine track of reform.<\/p>\n
Second, the political scene these last few months has been
\ngrowing more competitive for those aspiring to be elected next
\nyear to a new government and totally new legislative bodies on
\nthe national level down to the district level.<\/p>\n
Disappointment with the course of economic and political
\nreform, rampant corruption at all levels, even in the judicial
\nsystem, growing unemployment and poverty, contribute to the
\npeople's increasing distrust of politicians, political parties,
\nthe bureaucracy and almost everything else that is perceived as
\npowerful or holding power in whatever degree.<\/p>\n
Thus poll after poll has showed the trend of decreasing
\nsupport for almost everybody and every political party that is
\nperceived as an aspirant in next year's general election.<\/p>\n
Even more worrying, there has been a growing sense among the
\npublic that the old days of authoritarian rule under Soeharto
\nwere much better. Consequently, the temptation is increasing to
\nlook toward the military to solve this current multidimensional
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
By his appeal to all parties not to drag the TNI back into
\npolitics, Endriartono has correctly addressed this issue. In his
\nown way, he was presumably addressing other military generals,
\nincluding retired ones.<\/p>\n
The TNI is currently facing crucial changes as it strives to
\nformulate its role and mission in a democratic Indonesia. This
\ncountry can ill afford the TNI being distracted from its
\ncommitment to be impartial politically, so that it can grow into
\na professional military power, capable of defending the country
\nand maintaining security. That capability will be badly needed
\nduring next year's general and presidential elections, which will
\nbe held over a six-month period.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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