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)