Vaudine England – Indonesia's military plans a simple celebration of its 54th birthday today, but is paying little heed to growing unpopularity at home and abroad.

Last year's Army Day involved intricate performances by a dazzling array of marching bands, including one group of drummers dressed as frogmen complete with flippers.

This year, several Western ambassadors, after checking back with their home offices, have chosen not to attend the events laid on by a military now under investigation by the United Nations for alleged crimes against humanity.

Today's ceremonies, to be held at the imposing Cilangkap military headquarters, include an evening of karaoke where the fabled singing voice of armed forces commander General Wiranto may once more feature.

"It's important to the army," said military analyst Arbi Sanit of Army Day. "But it's not important to the people of Indonesia at all."

This point may be one which the military has missed, as recent events have shown how far removed the military has become from the people it is pledged to protect.

Less than two weeks ago, a combination of students, local residents, office workers and unemployed youths engaged in fierce battles against troops on the city's main thoroughfares, risking their lives in order to vent their contempt and loathing for the men in uniform.

Less than two days ago, in the country's highest constitutional body, the Peoples' Consultative Assembly, the military establishment's candidate for speaker won just 41 votes from the 700-seat body.

"Considering they were given 38 seats anyway, that's a bad performance," said a political analyst. "It means they only gathered three seats from the claimed extra dozens they were supposed to be able to influence."