Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Military analysts believe a probe into the recent discovery of a huge arms stash at a deceased Army officer's residence will not offer full disclosure of its findings.
University of Indonesia defense expert Andi Widjajanto said the Indonesian Military (TNI) would never reveal the investigation's results if other high-ranking officers were implicated and it jeopardized the institution's standing.
"The military police carrying out the investigation had no problem disclosing details about Brig. Gen. Koesmayadi and his business regarding the discovery of the cache because he has already passed away, but they will not do so with his possible network in the Army and the possible motives behind the secret hoard." He added that investigators would first consult with the Army leadership and expert staff before divulging any findings to the public.
In an unusual public admission of an internal military matter, Djoko announced last Thursday the discovery of 145 rifles, 42 pistols, 28,985 bullets, nine grenades and 28 pairs of binoculars at one of Koesmayadi's houses in Ancol, North Jakarta.
After receiving an official report from Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso last week about the discovery, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered a thorough investigation to identify how he acquired the stash and who else was involved. Military analysts and legislators believe the stash was not for personal use of the 53-year-old, who died of heart problems on June 25, but probably indicated involvement in arms trading amid problems of accountability and transparency in procurement in the country's defense forces.
Indonesian Military Commander Air Chief Marshall Djoko Suyanto has said Koesmayadi probably had accomplices in compiling the stash.
Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said it was impossible for investigators to conduct a thorough and objective probe into case, especially due to Koesmayadi's close professional links with former Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Riyacudu. He served under Ryamizard as the assistant for logistics at the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), and later at Army headquarters.
"Investigators won't disclose possible political motives behind the large number of arms because the find was made amid rumors of an assassination attempt planned on the President, who apparently has yet to gain full support from the military."
Andi and Ikrar agreed the military would take quick measures, including to replace officials in strategic positions, to maintain the military's cohesion if investigators found political motives in the case.
Legislators urged the military leadership to have the courage to carry out a full probe and reveal its findings to the public for transparency and professionalism.
Djoko Susilo and Ade Nasution, members of the House of Representatives' Commission I which covers defense matters, said their commission supported the Army chief's move for a transparent investigation.
"Our commission will hold a hearing on July 10 with the TNI chief and Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono to gain first-hand information on the find and the investigation's result, said Djoko.
Ade said the minister and the military leadership were expected to provide a comprehensive explanation of Koesmayadi's activities, as well as any business or political reasons for the hoard.
Djoko described Koesmayadi as a powerful but troubled figure in the Army, due to his alleged involvement in marking up purchase prices for four MI-17 choppers from Russia in 2003.
"Koesmayadi only had the rank of colonel at the time but his recommendation to appoint PT Putra Pobiagun Mandiri to conduct the purchase was accepted by the Army chief although the military partner company did not meet all the requirements," he said.
Meanwhile, the deputy for special crimes at the Attorney General's Office, Hendarman Supandji, said Monday that Koesmayadi was on the list of witnesses to be interrogated in the chopper scandal.
"We were going to summon him as witness but no schedule had been determined," Hendarman said.