Jakarta – As the growing world population will need more energy, food and water, future conflict is likely to shift to countries rich in such resources, the chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) says, stressing the need for the nation's security forces to adapt.
TNI Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, speaking during a graduation ceremony for military and police officers at the Police Academy in Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday, said non-traditional threats – for instance in the field of cyber security – will also increase and become more complex.
"At the moment, over 70 percent of conflicts around the world are related to the scramble for fossil fuels, but in the future conflicts will be related to bio energy, food and water," Gatot said.
"Currently global conflicts are centered on the Middle East... but in the future conflicts will spread to natural-resource rich countries along the equator, including Indonesia. This will be a real threat to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia [NKRI]."
Also in Semarang, on Thursday, President Joko Widodo called on officers taking the oath to raise their level of professionalism and be aware that Indonesian society is more open nowadays and more critical of what is going on within the security forces. "Traditions that are not appropriate should be abandoned," Joko said, without mentioning any specific practices. "Train your subordinates, raise the level of professionalism so that you will be great leaders."
"Society's expectations are becoming higher and the media are getting stronger. Reflect on this and deal with this challenge – young officers need to adapt."
Gatot, who was installed as TNI commander earlier this month, on Tuesday called on the graduating officers to lead by example and pay close attention to the welfare of subordinates, but also to always keep in mind the image of the military and police forces.
"The TNI and the National Police are part of the [same] government, so the TNI and the National Police have to support and reinforce each other," the general said. "Officers of the TNI and the National Police have to be able, together with the people, to safeguard and preserve [social] cohesion amid the diversity of Indonesia."
Military and police personnel have in the recent past been involved in various clashes in different parts of the country, ranging from deadly bar fights to outright turf wars.
Apart from overcoming military-police rivalry and infighting, the new TNI commander also faces the challenge of aging materiel in various branches of the armed forces.
A 50-year-old Hercules transport plane of the Indonesian Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff in Medan, North Sumatra, on June 30, killing all 121 on board and 22 people on the ground. The military has maintained that the aircraft was fit to fly, but Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has since announced that all military aircraft over 30 years old will be retired.
Major rotation
Prior to the graduation ceremony, Gatot oversaw a major rotation in the TNI affecting up to 84 senior military officials.
Among those affected are Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen. Agus Sutomo, who is now appointed the head of the Army's Education and Training Command, and Army Special Force (Kopassus) commander Maj. Gen. Doni Munardo, who will be sent to Maluku to lead the local military command.
TNI spokesman Mochamad Fuad Basya denies speculation that the rotation is intended to wipe out loyalists of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from strategic positions in the military.
Agus and Doni are known to be close to Yudhoyono, himself a former Army general, having each served as the commander of the presidential guards, or Paspampres, during Yudhoyono's decade in office.
Fuad said Agus was promoted with his new Army school assignment – from a two-star general to a three-star lieutenant general.
"The current TNI commander also once served in the position. So this is not dumping him. He should be very happy because he has been promoted to three stars," Fuad said. The same thing goes with Doni, who has been promoted from one-star to two-star general.
"A position as the chief of a [provincial] military command will smooth his way to climb to the next level. After serving as provincial military commanders, he'll have a big opportunity to be promoted to three stars. And TNI soldiers must be prepared to be assigned anywhere," Fuad added.
Brig. Gen. Muhammad Herindra is replacing Doni as the Kopassus chief. It remains unclear, however, as to who will serve as the new Jakarta Military commander. Speculations have arisen that the position is prepared for the current presidential guard commander, Maj. Gen. Andika Perkasa, also a son-in-law of former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief A. M. Hendropriyono – an aide of President Joko.
"[We'll have Agus'] replacement in August. One month will be the latest; it can be sooner," Fuad said.