Military can learn from tsunami: Scholar

Military can learn from tsunami: Scholar

The tsunami of Dec. 26 should be a turning point in the nation's
defense ministry, especially in the light of the inadequate
response to the disaster on the part of the Indonesian Military
(TNI), a researcher said.

Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, who studies defense issues, told a
discussion on Monday that "What happened in Aceh showed how our
TNI has limited capability and facilities. The disaster should
not only be taken as a lesson but also a turning point for new
policies".

He cited the Chinook helicopters, owned by the small city
state of Singapore, which proved vital in distributing assistance
to survivors in affected areas, compared to the few functioning
helicopters of the TNI, which is tasked to secure a vast
archipelago. Shortly after the disaster the TNI leadership had
appealed for the assistance of several military institutions from
various nations.

Monday's talks followed reports that the Ministry of Defense
had finalized the first drafts on the revision of legislation on
security and defense. Among proposed amendments to the 2002
Defense Law and the 2004 Military Law, is that the TNI would be
placed under the direct supervision of the president. The
amendment aims for a more professional police and military, even
though the law on the TNI was just passed in December.

Koesnadi Kardi, who heads the education and training body of
the defense ministry, said that improving human resources and
facilities would be critical to such changes.

"In line with the TNI's internal reform program announced in
1998, the defense ministry has also developed a Defense
Restructuring Program (DRP) that needs human resources with
sufficient understanding of defense issues," Koesnadi said.

He added that the DRP calls for improvements in human
resources and a reformulation of doctrine, defense system and
strategy.

"In the future, the role of defense would belong to the whole
nation as it includes defense in terms of economic strength,
political stability and weapons system. A synergy is needed of
the three elements to establish national security and it needs
competent human resources."

Ikrar, who is a senior researcher with the National Institute
of Sciences (LIPI), said it would be a very tough job for the
defense ministry to handle the newly proposed defense system,
especially to reorganize a new structure overseeing the TNI.

Resistance is also expected as military officers have cited
concerns about intervention by politicians if the TNI is placed
under a ministry.

"Looking at the complications the ministry faces, we can
expect that during the 2004-2009 Cabinet, there may only be a
development of regulations and programs. The execution itself may
start only in 2009. Regeneration should be the main focus for the
meantime," said Ikrar. (005)