TNI playing democratic role

TNI playing democratic role

An article in The Jakarta Post, U.S. wants TNI under civilian
control, Oct. 1, reported what the U.S. Secretary of Defense Mr.
Cohen said in his press conference in Jakarta. I found some parts
of his statement confusing, especially when he said: "We hope
that the military would in fact be subordinated and subject to
the governance and rule of civilian officers".

Why did he say that? I think he knows that the military
organization is under civilian control, because article 10 of the
Indonesian 1945 Constitution clearly states that the President
holds the supreme power over the army, navy and air force. And so
the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI)
is the President. There is no military junta in Indonesia, not in
the past, not at present and never will be in the future.

He said further that there is heartfelt desire on the part of
the Indonesian people to make sure that the military does in fact
abide by civilian rule. There is no need to make that sure,
because the military does in fact abide by civilian rule.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense is perhaps mixing the legal
position of the TNI and its dual function where the military is
playing a very important role outside its basic military
profession. The military still is a disciplined organization
under the civilian government. There is growing opposition
against the dual function. Demonstrations have been organized to
abolish the dual function and TNI has taken serious notice of
that.

By saying in his statement that the world would like to see
whether or not there is a genuine commitment to achieve reform in
the sense of subordinating the military to civilian rule, the
U.S. Secretary of Defense is, with due respect, exaggerating.

I have never heard or read the world expressing their desire
to see subordination of the military to civilian rule. Foreign
countries consider this as a domestic situation in a sovereign
and independent Indonesia. I have never read or heard the world
commenting on the military's role in Indonesia, especially that
they are not listening to the civilian government. Indonesia is
not a banana republic with military juntas each in turn
controlling the government.

In relation to the dual function, four influential leaders,
Amien Rais, Megawati, Gus Dur, and the Sultan of Yogyakarta met
in Ciganjur and agreed that the dual function should be abolished
in six years time. TNI accepted the will of the people by saying,
what is good for the people is good for TNI and as long as
civilians can do their job well let them do that. Throughout
their performance of duty the military has tried hard to honor
human rights, although some times it is very difficult to stay
calm and do nothing when the demonstrators are throwing stones,
spitting in their faces and shouting dirty words.

But I am happy that Cohen highlighted the important role TNI
has to play in the country's road to democracy. My opinion is
that if TNI can play an important role in the country's
democratization, then this is a recognition of the democratic
role TNI is playing. TNI is flexible and will support reformation
as long as it is for the good of the people.

TNI is facing a long and rough road ahead, but with God's
blessing it will be able to overcome all difficulties as it has
done in the past when facing rebellious elements.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta