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Indonesian Military Reform: More Than a Human Rights Issue
- from Indonesia
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- By John B. Haseman, Southeast Asian political-military affairs
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- Book:
- Southeast Asian Affairs 2006
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 31 May 2006, pp 111-126
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- Chapter
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Summary
Military reform in Indonesia is an ongoing but long-term process. The armed forces are making remarkable progress in transforming itself into its new role in a vigorous democratic society. Since the resignation of President Soeharto in May 1998 the armed forces establishment has implemented important reforms to bring about this transformation. While the military is still the most powerful element of Indonesian society, it is no longer the monolithic arbiter of political power in Indonesia that it was for the three decades of Soeharto's New Order.
Military reform in Indonesia is important to many players. Three institutional elements stand out in this regard. Obviously the greatest impact is on the Indonesian military itself. Military reform is also of consummate importance to the people of Indonesia, most of whom favour reform of the TNI in some substantial form. Finally, reform of the TNI is a key element in the foreign policy with Indonesia of several important friendly countries, including Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The TNI has not yet implemented all of the reforms its critics desire, but it must be given credit for the changes it has made to date. The TNI gave up its blocks of reserved appointed seats in parliament and regional assemblies. Military personnel now must retire before taking civilian government posts, whether electoral positions in parliament or at the province level and below, or in non-defence-related positions in the government civil service. This is a huge contrast to the Soeharto years, when thousands of military personnel occupied civil government and societal posts at all levels and active duty officers routinely filled cabinet posts. There are no active duty officers in the current national cabinet, a significant change from the Soeharto years.
The TNI has withdrawn, as an institution, from day-to-day political activities. The TNI does not support any political party — no more wearing the yellow jacket of Golkar, for example, as senior officers did during the Soeharto years.
Indonesia's Armed Forces: Difficult Challenges, New Future
- from INDONESIA
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- By John B. Haseman, Defence Attache in Jakarta
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- Book:
- Southeast Asian Affairs 1999
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 07 September 1999, pp 128-142
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Summary
Indonesia's armed forces will celebrate their 54th anniversary in 1999, but in vastly different circumstances than anyone might have imagined only a year ago. One year after the forced resignation of President Soeharto in May 1998, Indonesia is in political, economic, and social turmoil. Its armed forces establishment is essential for national survival, but its effectiveness as a security force is in question. Under attack for decades of abuses during the era of Soeharto's rule, its reputation has sunk to a low ebb in the esteem of the population.
Thus, in addition to its major missions to defend the nation and maintain domestic stability, Indonesia's armed forces (ABRI or Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia) must now face a plethora of new challenges to its unity and role in society.
ABRI remains the single most cohesive element in Indonesia today, but now — in addition to the normal challenges facing any armed force — it must meet the challenge of regaining the respect of its people. ABRI's reputation has been deeply damaged in a wave of national revulsion over the revelations of major human rights violations in the past. Only after ABRI regains the respect of its population can it most effectively assist the country to restore a tattered economy and implement political reform.
ABRI has important missions to perform at an important turning point in the nation's history. Its senior leadership is mindful of the need to restore lustre to its image. ABRI and its senior officers, speaking privately as well as in public, show a determination to respond to the challenges of a new future that holds both hope and worry for the world's fourth most populous country.
Primary Responsibility: Defence, Security, and Stability
National Defence
The primary responsibility of ABRI, like all nations' armed forces, is to counter any threat to the country's security, foreign or domestic. Indonesia is fortunate in that it does not confront a significant external threat.
Indonesia and ABRI: Challenges for the Future
- from INDONESIA
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- Book:
- Southeast Asian Affairs 1997
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 07 September 1997, pp 127-140
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Summary
Introduction
Indonesia experienced a turbulent year in 1996, as events and circumstances brought both continued economic progress and new security challenges to the country. At the same time the people and leaders of the world's fourth most populous country are preparing for one of the most important transition periods in Indonesia's fifty-one years of independence. Such roller-coaster developments are unusual in Indonesia, which values consensus and order, and which strives in both private and governmental life to arrange a harmonious passage of events.
Events of the past year have inevitably tied the Indonesian government and society in general to the future of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI — the acronym for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia). The events of 1996 illustrate dramatically how ABRI influences, and is influenced by, the society of which it is a part.
ABRI's New Professionalism and Confidence
ABRI approaches the 21st century with strong leadership, an emphasis on improved professionalism, and a spirit of confidence. These aspects date, for the most part, only to the early 1990s. The change in senior leadership that occurred at that time was a watershed in the development of ABRI's military professionalism as well as in the broad general context in which ABRI functions within the complex Indonesian society.
At the same time there is an almost unprecedented debate within ABRI concerning the role of the armed forces in society, particularly the future of its unique dwifungsi (dual function) concept which immerses ABRI in society as a “socializing and dynamizing force”. This debate is occasioned by fast moving changes in Indonesian society caused by rapid economic development, social and economic pressures strongly influenced by that development, as well as increased demands for relaxation of the tight political discipline enforced on society by the New Order government.
The rise to the top of the ABRI leadership of General Feisal Tanjung, a consummate military professional, is a key development in recent ABRI history.