Armed Forces sets main reform agenda

Armed Forces sets main reform agenda

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (TNI) reiterated on Wednesday
its commitment to reform, setting seven main agendas that were
designed to improve its tarnished image, according to a high-
ranking military official.

"While taking into account its weaknesses in the past, the
military has established seven main agendas in its internal
reform programs. The seven are a new paradigm, (the military)
doctrine, structure and posture (organization), education
program, training program, ethics and leadership," Chief of Armed
Forces on Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
said in a political discussion organized by the Indonesian
Council on World Affairs (ICWA) here.

Also participating in the discussion were Purnomo Yusgiantoro,
deputy governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas),
ICWA chairman Arifin Siregar, former Lemhanas governor Lt. Gen.
(ret) Sayidiman Surjohadiprodjo and foreign diplomats.

Susilo said the military has embarked upon internal reform and
would continue to do so in order to meet the actual challenges of
the reform era.

"TNI is at present conducting intensive and extensive reforms
which are done conceptually, systematically and gradually in
stages, with a clear agenda, priorities and control," he said.

He pointed out the Armed Forces was now repositioning itself
and refining its dual function in defense and politics.

"Now, we are focusing on our main role in defense and
security and will gradually reduce our role in politics," he
said.

Bambang also said the military would enhance cooperation with
all elements in society to help defuse the crisis and to maintain
national unity.

Sayidiman, a military observer, called on the public to stop
condemning the Armed Forces and to allow it to reform itself.

"The prolonged condemnation of the military should be stopped
in order to allow it to continue with its internal reform and to
return to its main role in defense and security. It has admitted
its faults in the past and, now, it is reforming, readjusting ...
to the present situation," he told The Jakarta Post after the
discussion.

He said the Armed Forces made a fatal mistake when it strayed
from its tracks in 1983, 15 years before the end of Soeharto's 32
years of government.

During the course of the 15 years, the military was abused by
Soeharto to fight for his political and business interests, he
said. (rms)