Dicky Christanto and Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – The government should devise clear regulations to govern the military's role in the fight against terrorism, analysts say, citing concerns on a potential military-police rivalry and the potential abuse of power by the armed forces.
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Agus Suhartono said Sunday the military would provide necessary assistance required by the police to combat terrorists, adding that a regulation outlining technical procedures for cooperation was still being drafted.
"We are currently discussing it with the National Antiterrorism Agency [BNPT]. It is expected that we are going to see the results in the immediate future," he told reporters after inspecting final preparations for the TNI's anniversary celebration, which has been slated for Oct. 5 at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base.
Despite the absence of regulation, the military recently joined a four-day police operation against suspected terrorists in Serdang Bedagai regency, North Sumatra. TNI members were reported to have given the police information on the location of the armed militants and were involved in surrounding the suspects.
Bambang Widodo Umar of the University of Indonesia said that terrorism had become a national threat and the military's involvement was necessary. But the TNI's role should be clearly regulated, he added.
"We should make it clear how far the military can be involved. Otherwise, we are likely to see additional problems, mainly in the field," he said.
Al Araf from human rights group Imparsial said the government had not yet made a regulation governing the military operations outside a time of war.
"The 2004 Law on The Indonesian Military ordered the administration to deliberate on an operating regulation to regulate the details of the military's involvement in operations other than in wartime. To this date, we still don't have any regulations," he said.
He added that the President could issue a regulation by decree. "What we have here is more important, which is providing a legal standing for all military personnel who will be involved in hunting terrorists."
BNPT chief Insp. Gen. (ret) Ansyaad Mbai previously said that the police would still be the lead agency in the hunt for terrorists. "The military will be in standby mode, meaning they will jump in whenever their services are required by the police in the pursuit of terrorists," he said recently.
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) military observer Jaleswari Pramodhawardani expressed fears that a "row" between the military and the police might hinder collaboration between the institutions.
"Under the BNPT, such an issue should not present anymore. The institution was formed by the President as the highest leader in the country, who must be obeyed by both the police and the military," she said.
Jaleswari agreed with Ansyaad, saying that the police would still have the lead role in fighting terrorism.
"In case the police are overwhelmed and need support, they can request assistance from the BNPT. The agency will then report to the President, who will order the army to dispatch troops to accompany the police," she said.