Toward a professional TNI

Toward a professional TNI

Military Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto made an
encouraging statement the other day while overseeing preparations
for Sunday's celebrations of the 58th anniversary of the
Indonesian Military (TNI), which will be held in Surabaya.

Addressing not only his soldiers but the whole nation as well,
Gen. Endriartono emphasized the role of the military in defending
the country. The TNI, he said, should be politically impartial
and not side with any political power or interest.

He also appealed to all parties concerned not to drag the
military back into politics, as was the practice in the past. The
military, he said, needed to focus on reform and not let itself
be drawn into the political power struggle in the run-up to next
year's general election.

Gen. Endriartono's appeal is timely for several reasons.

First, what is at present known as the Tentara Nasional
Indonesia has in the last few years seemingly been wavering. Not
long after the downfall of Soeharto, the leadership of the TNI
expressed its commitment to reform and reorganizing its ranks. A
decree issued by the People's Consultative Assembly in 2000 left
the TNI with only three services: the Army, the Navy and the Air
Force. The National Police, which during the New Order
administration was incorporated into the Armed Forces (ABRI), was
separated from the TNI. Another decree issued the same year laid
out the principles in realigning its defense priorities.

Basically, the reform agenda envisages a gradual exit from the
military's long-held sociopolitical role in the running of the
country and refocuses on transforming itself into a more
professional, modern military power. This would entail forfeiting
its nonelected seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) and
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). It also calls for the
dismantling of the military territorial network, with commands
all the way down to the district level.

The process started well enough with the restructuring of the
military headquarters by abolishing its sociopolitical section
and territorial section. It responded to a historical challenge
in the correct manner, resisting then president Abdurrahman
Wahid's undemocratic intention to declare a state of emergency in
order to preserve his power.

Later on, however, the TNI seemed to be stalling in its reform
agenda. The forfeiting of the appointed legislative seats was
deferred. The dismantling of its territorial network came to a
stop, to say the least. And its white paper on defense earlier
this year raised lots of questions as to whether the TNI was
really serious about its commitment to reform. Endriartono's
statement in Surabaya, though, can be seen as a signal that the
TNI is returning to the genuine track of reform.

Second, the political scene these last few months has been
growing more competitive for those aspiring to be elected next
year to a new government and totally new legislative bodies on
the national level down to the district level.

Disappointment with the course of economic and political
reform, rampant corruption at all levels, even in the judicial
system, growing unemployment and poverty, contribute to the
people's increasing distrust of politicians, political parties,
the bureaucracy and almost everything else that is perceived as
powerful or holding power in whatever degree.

Thus poll after poll has showed the trend of decreasing
support for almost everybody and every political party that is
perceived as an aspirant in next year's general election.

Even more worrying, there has been a growing sense among the
public that the old days of authoritarian rule under Soeharto
were much better. Consequently, the temptation is increasing to
look toward the military to solve this current multidimensional
crisis.

By his appeal to all parties not to drag the TNI back into
politics, Endriartono has correctly addressed this issue. In his
own way, he was presumably addressing other military generals,
including retired ones.

The TNI is currently facing crucial changes as it strives to
formulate its role and mission in a democratic Indonesia. This
country can ill afford the TNI being distracted from its
commitment to be impartial politically, so that it can grow into
a professional military power, capable of defending the country
and maintaining security. That capability will be badly needed
during next year's general and presidential elections, which will
be held over a six-month period.