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.