Role of TNI

Role of TNI

After giving up its role in politics, the Indonesian Military (TNI) must reform its role and reinterpret its doctrines so that it is in line with demands for reform and TNI personnel must not just be "professional mercenaries".

If everything runs as scheduled, the TNI will no longer have any seats in the House of Representatives in 2004. It is expected that the TNI will reform its doctrines, organizational system and foster a system to enable it to approach national problems not only from the viewpoint of security but also from the view point of politics, economics, sociology, religion, culture and human rights.

In short, TNI members will not be mere mercenaries. They will be able to understand the root cause of a turmoil so that they can team up with civilian leaders to remove this cause together.

The term "professional soldiers", therefore refer to soldiers skilled at using weapons and well-versed in security strategies but at the same time also sensitive to the developments in situations, skilled at reading a situation and firm in action and discipline.

We owe a lot to the TNI for its major role in maintaining national unity. We will have even greater pride in a professional TNI that can skillfully and efficiently deal with security threats that seem to rock our country endlessly. -- Republika, Jakarta