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