United and cohesive TNI

United and cohesive TNI

Viewing the Indonesian Military (TNI) as a political enemy and
thus trying to undermine and weaken it could create disaster at a
time when a strong united military is needed. The role TNI played
during the New Order era is a strong reason for this attitude
taken by politicians. But the New Order is here no more and the
reform era is trying very hard to bring anything to its proper
position and create healthier and more harmonious relations
between TNI and the people, although it will take some time to
achieve this.

Politicians should recognize the sincere desire of TNI to
change itself and adhere to its motto "What is good for the
people is good for TNI". TNI has decided to leave the political
arena and concentrate on becoming a force of professional
soldiers. Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto once said in Surakarta:
"Don't ever try to bring TNI back into the political arena. Going
back to the barracks is a final policy decision and is
nonnegotiable. The Indonesian community only hopes that there
will be no intervention in the internal affairs of TNI (Media
Indonesia, June 11, 2000).

TNI will be responsible only for the defense of the country if
it is attacked by an outside force. Being without a domestic role
does not mean that TNI should become under the command of the
National Police as suggested by a gentleman named Athar, chairman
of an institution observing the police.

TNI is very much concerned with the present situation where
Indonesian newspapers are filled every day with all kinds of
negative news like separatism, fighting between ethnic groups,
huge demonstrations, the widespread taking of the law into ones'
own hands, etc.

Even the President is under fire for many of his statements
which have caused confusion and have worsened an already bad
situation. It is so bad that the alliance of seven Islamic
political parties that helped elect Abdurrahman Wahid to the
presidency is losing patience with his leadership and has urged
him to overhaul the management of the government (The Jakarta
Post, June 10, 2000).

So why create more unnecessary problems by weakening TNI and
creating suspicion among the TNI leadership. It is only logical
that a weak TNI would be an easier tool for politicians to use to
reach their goals and achieve domestic political supremacy.

People say there are three groups within TNI which are in
opposition to each other. One group is under the present Army
chief, the second group is under Army Strategic Reserves Command
(Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah and the third is
under the TNI Commander Adm. Widodo supported by Lt. Gen. Agus
Wijoyo and Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago. There is said to be another
small group consisting of discontented generals who have been
sidelined. Another military observer said in a television
interview that Wiranto was still active behind the scenes.

I personally don't believe in the existence of these groups,
because the TNI is and always will be one united, cohesive force
ready to follow the nation's orders. The late Gen. Soedirman once
said: "The Army and the people are like fish and water. Political
games are yours, defense is ours."

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta