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