Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has unveiled a new set of guidelines for soldiers as part of its efforts to conform to a 2004 military reform law.
TNI commander Air Chief Marshall Djoko Suyanto said the new doctrine bans the armed forces from active involvement in the country's sociopolitical affairs.
"In the past, military personnel could get involved in politics because the old doctrine allowed them to do so. Now, we no longer associate ourselves with politics," Djoko told a media conference at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.
He said the doctrine, which will be imposed this year, was constructed by all three branches of the military forces: the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
"The name of the new doctrine is Tri Dharma Eka Putra (Three Missions One Deed) compared with the former Catur Dharma Eka Putra (Four Missions One Deed) where the National Police was still included," Djoko said.
"But, we have to point out that our relations with the police are still good despite the separation," he added.
The old doctrine allows the military to perform tasks in defense, security, social and political affairs. The main function of the armed forces now, the general said, is to be the state's defense apparatus as spelled out in the 2004 law, which stipulates that the military is responsible for maintaining the sovereignty of Indonesia.
"Our current operational role is military operations in both war and non-war operations," he said.
As for retired soldiers who are currently involved in politics, the TNI chief said they could no longer claim to have the political backing of the Indonesian Military. "These retired soldiers actually have the same status as reporters," he said, jokingly.
Djoko said that it took the military seven years to amend the doctrine as "each page of the law could be discussed for days".
In 2000, the People's Consultative Assembly issued a decree on the separation of the police from the military in order to initiate reform in both organizations.
The separation of police and military is also expected to make both institutions work more effectively. The police had been under military control since 1960.
Criminologist Adrianus Meliala said the new doctrine must be carried out in the field. He pointed out that there were still many territorial commands throughout the archipelago that involved members of the military in local security.
"I've noticed an inconsistency in the field as the number of Provincial Military Commands and Military Resorts is also increasing. This is questionable," he told The Jakarta Post.
"Also, there should be a supporting law enforcing the professionalism of the armed forces as stated in the new doctrine," Adrianus said.
Asked about a proposal that would allow soldiers to vote and run in general elections, Djoko said the TNI was still studying the matter. "We are not in a hurry to say whether we want to have these rights or not," he said.