TNI's strategy

The Indonesian Military (TNI) is in full force in Maluku these days and it does not seem to help the local population much. Actually, the situation there is even worse than in Aceh where they are not active. We wonder what would happen if TNI was back there. Another civil war?

In May 1998, TNI (under the field command of a good -- yes, they can be good! -- military member such as Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin) needed one day to strongly intervene in a peaceful and clever manner to secure Jakarta as one of the biggest cities of the world. So what has TNI been doing for improving the situation in Ambon, a small city? Well, nothing in my opinion. Who cares after all? Members of the House of Representatives do not seem interested in asking that question to Wiranto though hundreds of people are murdered in the region in a civil war between Christians and Muslims.

Indonesia was praised in the past for its religious harmony, but all this achievement has now been wasted. Many people are criticizing President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, and his team for this, but are they controlling TNI and the police as it should be their right? I don't think so.

Anyway, if I were in a position to advise the government, I would not send TNI back to Aceh based on what is going on in Maluku. Why would the result be different than Aceh? Where is the guarantee that TNI will secure Aceh as it did in Jakarta in May 1998? Things have already gone too far. Does TNI need instructions from Gus Dur to do its job in Maluku? No, of course not. This should be the responsibility of Gen. Wiranto.

As a foreigner who has spent eight years in your country, I have learned to appreciate it. I am going to leave with my family next month, and I wish you all the best for the next 20 years ... although I am more pessimistic about your future than most of your well-paid and unnecessary political and economic experts are.

As long as law enforcement remains weak, as long as the dual function of TNI remains strong and as long as you do not change your feudalistic-like system in society resulting in extremely high violence (exploitation of the bottom by the top at all levels of your civil society can only result in violence), Indonesia will not sail in the right direction. The direction of an open democracy giving the same opportunities to everybody is a goal that although has progressed a lot since the mid-1930's, even Western democracies have not reached yet.

YVAN MAGAIN

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