Increase in defense budget sparks debate

Increase in defense budget sparks debate

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators and observers were divided on
Thursday about the government's plan to increase the security and
defense budget, justified as necessary to enhance law enforcement
and maintain stability.

Aberson Marle Sihaloho, an outspoken legislator of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), said
there was no urgency in increasing the security allocation when
most people continued to live in poverty.

"The government should focus on improving the people's social
welfare instead of spending more money for defense," he said
after attending the unveiling of the draft state budget at the
House of Representatives.

President Abdurrahman Wahid said the increase in defense,
education and social welfare sectors for the "transitional" nine-
month period between April 1 and Dec. 31 was needed "for the sake
of stability".

The draft entailed a more than 10 percent rise in overall
defense and security expenditures, setting the budget at Rp 10.1
trillion. The budget was set at Rp 12.2 trillion in the previous
fiscal year, which covered 12 months.

Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono previously recommended a
62 percent hike to improve the military's professionalism and
independence.

Aberson countered that both the government and the Indonesian
Military (TNI) had no plausible reason to propose a hike in the
defense budget because the nation was not threatened by either
internal or outside forces.

However, he agreed that the National Police deserved a raise
in the state budget due to its main task of enforcing the law and
maintaining stability at home.

"I will fight for a significant increase in the National
Police's budget for the upcoming fiscal year to support the
government's movement to uphold the supremacy of law. Police are
not willing to work hard if they are paid badly," he said.

Deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
from the National Awakening Party, Matori Abdul Djalil, said the
government should pay more attention to improving the people's
social welfare.

"An increase in the defense budget is necessary but the poor
condition of most people is more urgent," he said.

Chairman of the House's commission on defense and military
Yasril Ananta Baharuddin and chairman of the Indonesian Military
faction in the House Lt. Gen. Achmad Rustandi hailed the planned
hike in the defense budget, saying it would improve military
professionalism.

"The defense budget should be raised as compensation for the
military's exit from politics as well as to improve its
professionalism," he said after the commission's meeting with
the military's top brass on Thursday.

Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto and Navy chief Adm. Satjipto
said the military would be able to improve its professionalism
without the government having to increase in the defense budget.

"Low-ranking servicemen will also be included in civil
servants whose wages will be raised by the government. The hike
will depend on the state's budget," said Tyasno.

Former chief of the National Police Awaloedin Djamin said the
police's budget should be raised to improve their performance in
enforcing the law and maintaining the stability.

"The police have been criticized for being unable to perform
their best. The police should be well paid if people want them to
carry out their duties in accordance with the law," Awaloedin
said. (01/rms)