Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Military Chief Gen. Djoko Santoso said on Sunday that coordination between military and police commanders in conducting antiterrorism operations was running well, despite the absence of a law on the matter.
Speaking to journalists in Jakarta, Djoko said the military wanted the government to endorse the national security bill, which would specifically task the military, also known as the TNI, with working with the police and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to deal with terrorist threats.
Currently, the Antiterrorism Law stipulates that the police have the primary responsibility for antiterrorism operations. Police can ask for the military's help if they see the need.
"At the level of regional military commanders and provincial police chiefs, good coordination has been established, although at the level of the national headquarters, we have yet to endorse any legal umbrella," Djoko said.
As an example, Djoko said that any intelligence data and analysis obtained by personnel from each agency were shared between the local commanders. "So the cooperation [between the military and antiterrorism police] is working," Djoko said.
The military's decision to assist police in conducting antiterrorism operations has been criticized by a number of nongovernmental organizations.
The NGOs stress that the military and police operate differently, with the police working in a more transparent manner. Critics also said the involvement of soldiers would not guarantee that antiterrorist efforts were any more effective.
They said it would also cause confusion among the military and the police because both institutions already had their own guidelines in place.
But Djoko said the military would continue to assist the police in detecting any terrorist threats. He said the military would take a number of steps, including the deployment of intelligence officers, to build stronger ties with citizens to prevent infiltration by terrorists.
Maj. Gen. Darpito, head of the Jakarta Military Command, said all parties must be responsible for security in their specific areas, which meant the military should also play a role in detecting and countering any security threats.
Darpito said the military, as well as local administration and citizens, must cooperate with and assist the police to make Jakarta a safe area.
"We are committed to the principle of helping the police. I cooperate and work well with the Jakarta Police, from the top to the level of the village guidance boards," Darpito said.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said last week that the national security bill would regulate the military's involvement in the nation's internal security, which is the turf of the police.
"The military remains a support for the civilian apparatus in dealing with any terrorist threat, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that it could be in the forefront," Juwono said.