TNI territorial function still needed for the next 20 years

TNI territorial function still needed for the next 20 years

Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The military's territorial function will still be required in
Indonesia over the next 20 years due to local politicians' lack
of clout and the absence of public readiness to create a civil
self-defense system, a military observer said on Tuesday.

Kusnanto Anggoro of the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS) said it would take 15 to 20 years to reduce the
role of the military in politics and social affairs in the
country.

The military's omnipresent and complex network of control over
Indonesia, ranging from the national to village command levels,
used to attract strong criticism.

This extensive network is comprised of Regional Military
Commands (Kodam) in nearly all of Indonesia's 32 provinces,
Resort Military Commands (Korem) in small provinces, District
Military Commands (Kodim) in regencies and mayoralties,
Subdistrict Military Commands (Koramil) in subdistricts and
Military Representative Posts in villages.

"To create an alternative substitute for these institutions
needs the profound capabilities on the part of the politicians.
Unfortunately, we don't have any politicians who comply with such
requirements at the moment," Kusnanto said at a seminar titled
"Searching for TNI's Ideal Reposition" at the University of
Indonesia.

Also present at the seminar was Indonesian Military (TNI's)
Chief for Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, who once
disclosed the plan to abolish the military's territorial role.

The military's territorial function has long been criticized
for having hindered the development of democracy.

As part of its territorial function, the military has been
deeply involved in civil affairs, especially during the
administration of former president Soeharto, who used military
networks down to the village level to silence its critics and
maintain the status quo.

Agus admitted that it would take quite a long time to take
over the military's territorial function. He said, however, that
the TNI was prepared to hand over three functions to the National
Police and provincial administrations.

"But it cannot be conducted drastically. It needs to consider
several factors, including the public's readiness, the
availability of substitute bodies and the TNI's internal
management," Agus said.

Kusnanto further questioned the composition of the military
forces, particularly the Army, which still allocates a large
number of troops for its territorial function.

He disclosed that the Army has the largest number of personnel
with 203,000, some 140,000 of which are stationed for territorial
jobs. By comparison the Navy have only 47,000 personnel and the
Air Force only 42,000.

"The Army still allocates an excessive number for territorial
posts. Considering Indonesia is a maritime country, perhaps it
would be better if they were switched to the Navy," Kusnanto
said.