'They're OK, as long as they follow orders'

Although the government backed down from its demand to maintain the Indonesian Military (TNI)'s territorial role -- as advised by military analysts and human rights activists -- the new military bill had nothing to say about the future of the territorial command structure. The Jakarta Post asked some residents how they felt about the physical presence of troops under a territorial command.

Vinny Flaviana, 23, works for a private bank on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She lives with her family in Jatinegara, East Jakarta:

The military should guard the country and not meddle in politics. At least, most of them should. If some military people have gained expertise in other fields, such as the economy, and they want to get into politics, I think it's OK.

The military should be a power for defense. They should strengthen their power -- not to attack, but to protect the country.

District military commands (Kodim) and subdistrict military commands (Koramil) are still necessary because Indonesia is very big. However, they should remember that they are there to secure the area, not to rule it.

Regional commands should be the legs and hands of the central command and follow its orders.

Teddy, 53, sells mung bean and peanut porridge in Glodok market, Central Jakarta. He lives with his family in Tomang, West Jakarta:

It is not the right time to get the military out of the regions. We need them, they give us a feeling of security. And, in most cases, the sterner approach of the military is needed to deal with hard-liners.

However, we don't want abusive soldiers. Military officers need to have integrity in closely monitoring their soldiers in the field. They should educate them so they don't arbitrarily abuse their power.

--The Jakarta Post