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)