Return of the Military?
Return of the Military?
The establishment of the "anti-terror desk" by the Indonesian
Military (TNI) on the basis of Law No. 34/2004 as a reaction to
the slow response of the Indonesian police has marked the
comeback of the TNI into Indonesian politics.
Whether we like it or not, this decision by President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono government to rely on the TNI's intelligence
service instead of improving the Indonesian police force has sent
a negative signal to the masses. The assurance given by the TNI
that they will act only as a support for the Indonesian Police in
its fight against the terror menace is not enough until it is
proven by their actions.
The long history of the military's domination in Indonesian
politics during the Soeharto period, and the fact that President
Susilo himself was a military officer, cannot rule out this
possibility.
The fact that the Indonesian Police was partly successful in
solving the previous terror cases is a proof that they have the
capability to do their work and provide safety to the Indonesian
people. Their inability to solve the mystery of the recent Bali
bombing cannot be regarded as their failure to perform. And
instead of establishing the terror desk in the TNI, the
government should improve the capability of Detachment 88 of the
police force that is responsible for antiterror activities. The
resources of Indonesian intelligence (BIN) as well as those in
the TNI should have been incorporated into this Detachment to
increase their capability, and not by establishing an antiterror
desk within the TNI.
The establishment of the anti-terror desk in the TNI will
dilute the responsibility of the TNI as the nation's core
defensive force towards foreign threats and subsequently reduce
the important role of the police force in their efforts to
guarantee the safety and security of the people.
Thus, if President Susilo's government is really willing to
take the responsibility to assure the safety and security of the
people, he should not rely on the TNI but instead must improve
the police force as the vanguard of the fight against terror in
Indonesia.
AHMAD QISAI, New Delhi-India