Astrid Felicia Lim, Jakarta – The People's Representative Assembly (DPR) is disappointed over the military's domination of Echelon I level positions in the Department of Defense. They believe that the large number of government officials from the military is a step backward for the ministry.

"We are very disappointed, although the Minister of Defense has stated that these are civilian posts the milieu is thick with a military atmosphere, especially the army", said Commission I member Amris Hasan from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle fraction at the parliament on Jalan Gatot Soebroto in Jakarta on Tuesday April 18.

Actually he continued, prior to this a number of circles had praised the Department of Defense's steps to civilianise itself. "As a civilian, the Minister of Defense should be more sensitive about reading the existing conditions. What's more, this matter has already been discussed during a meeting with the Commission I", he said.

Hasan also disagreed that this militarisation has occurred as a consequence of a weakness win the law on the TNI (armed forces), because it is indeed not possible for the law create an obvious dichotomy between civilians and the military.

DPR chairperson Agung Laksono meanwhile also made a similar assessment. According to Laksono, the commission could question the appointments because the DPR want's civilian officials to be reflected in the Department of Defense. "Hopefully in the future the Minister of Defense will take a more consistent attitude", he asserted.

With regard to a letter from the vice-president on recommendations for Echelon I government officials, Hasan explained that the Minister of Defense still has complete authority to reject it and should be more sensitive in determining the government officials which are appointed.

Laksono meanwhile stated that issuing letters of this kind is no longer appropriate. "It's better to just avoid it", he explained. (umi)

[Translated by James Balowski.]