TNI is not like Kumbokarno
TNI is not like Kumbokarno
From Rakyat Merdeka
I do not agree with the editorial of this newspaper and also a number of letters to the editor that say the Indonesian Military (TNI) is now sleeping like Kumbokarno, a character in the Indian epic.
What has happened is that by virtue of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree Nos. 6 and 7/2000, the TNI's role is confined to state defense matters only. The TNI is no longer allowed to handle domestic security matters unless there is a request for help from the National Police to overcome domestic security problems. As a result, all funds for domestic security are channeled to the National Police.
The problem the country is facing now in terms of domestic security is that, in general, our regional administrations are still weak and do not have direct access to the regional police. Before the regional police can take action, funds must first be sent to them from the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Unfortunately, it appears that the National Police prefer the regional administrations to deal with their own security problems so that the latter does not have to fork out the funds. As a result, security problems in the regions cannot be properly handled and riots can easily escalate in intensity.
In this context, the Sampit tragedy and many other bloody incidents must be viewed as the consequence of the MPR decree referred to earlier. The decree does not clearly stipulate the roles of the TNI and the National Police. Besides, the decree is yet to be followed up with legislation to serve as a legal umbrella for regional administrations, regional police and also the TNI.
In this respect, it is the TNI that must be pitied. It has territorial command but is virtually paralyzed because all funds for security are in the hands of the National Police. It is often the case that the TNI must fork out their own money to fund their activities of helping the police overcome security problems. Strangely, the money is not always reimbursed. Instead the National Police regards it its debt to the TNI. That's why, defense minister Mahfud MD has put forward a controversial suggestion that the MPR decree on the separation of the National Police from the TNI should be reviewed. Unfortunately, the Assembly speaker has flatly rejected this suggestion.
It is clear, therefore, that the TNI is not sleeping like Kumbokarno, but it has been forced to sleep by the MPR through its decree.
A. ZIDAN NOVANTO
Jakarta