Indonesia's defence ministry has defended a policy document which calls for the military's close scrutiny of civilian affairs to be maintained.

Defence ministry spokesman Abdul Azis denies the decision will undermine efforts at military reform. He says scrutiny of civilian affairs is necessary for the military to deal with internal threats such as terrorism, separatism, radicalism and transnational crimes.

The policy document focuses on strategies to maintain Indonesia's territorial integrity.

Mr Azis says a lack of financial and technological resources has shaped Jakarta's approach to defence by the whole population. He says soldiers must remain close to the people but he says the military is committed to reform.