Military officers deployed to villages

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Military (TNI) is reactivating its intelligence unit that used to work within the community to help the police fight terrorism.

TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Monday the military unit, comprising non-commissioned officers known as Babinsa, would gather all information required to help prevent acts of terrorism.

"I recently issued circulars to all regional military commands, asking them to reinstate Babinsa. They don't have the authority to make arrests, but to tap information from people," Endriartono said after a Cabinet meeting on security.

During the authoritarian rule of Soeharto, Babinsa carried out surveillance work for the government and helped maintain security and order in the grass roots.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked the military to actively take part in the war on terror during the TNI's anniversary on Oct. 5. The request came soon after Bali fell prey to terror attacks for the second time in three years.

Human rights activists quickly warned of the possible return of the military to non-defense areas, which they said would derail the ongoing military reform.

Endriartono shrugged off suspicions that the involvement in the fight against terrorism would pave the way for the military power it used to enjoy.

"The military is involved in the war on terror to back up the police with necessary information, so that we can prevent any acts of terrorism as early as possible," Endriartono said.

Each soldier, he said, was now expected to support the fight against terrorism.

"We have to make use of our resources to support the police. Terrorism is a big problem for all of us," he added.

Apart from Babinsa, each of the 11 regional military commands will set up a special team, the job of which is to compile data on terrorism that will be passed on to the police.

There are 1,710 Babinsa members under the Jakarta Military Command overseeing Greater Jakarta, according to its chief Maj. Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo. The non-commissioned officers have been instructed to cooperate with neighborhood and community units and encourage community security and night patrols.