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