Tiarma Siboro and Tony Hotland, Jakarta – Although the nomination of the first Air Force chief to head the military has been hailed as a fresh start in reform efforts, an analyst fears it may be a shortlived window of change before the Army's resurgence.
Ikrar Nusa Bhakti said Tuesday that Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto was considered free of the "politicking" of the Army-dominated military, and his nomination was a historic development for the country's military.
"The nomination of the Air Force chief to the top post should be considered a milestone for 'equality' among all military forces," said Ikrar, referring to the law saying that the leadership of the Indonesian Military (TNI) "can" be rotated among the chiefs of staff.
"Looking to his track record – beginning from his first portfolio job as commander of the Air Force's squadrons – we can also hope that he will be able to stay away from politicking, and, more importantly, that he can also promote democratic control for the armed forces." But he noted there was no guarantee of a rotation of the command among the chiefs of the Air Force, Navy and Army when the 55 year old reached his mandatory retirement age of 56 next December.
Once Djoko was retired, Ikrar said there was the likelihood President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would name an Army leader to "guard his political agenda" for 2009. Only two military commanders have been non-Army officers.
The Air Force, the smallest of the country's armed forces, enjoyed its heyday in the 1960s with close ties with the air force units of the Soviet Union and Eastern bloc countries.
Its fall from prominence following the 1965 abortive Indonesian Communist Party coup, in which some Air Force personnel were implicated, and its low-key role meant it "lacks a record of human rights violations", said sociologist and activist Otto Syamsuddin Ishak.
The executive director of democracy and human rights monitoring body Imparsial added there were expectations that Djoko would be serious in instilling a respect of human rights among military personnel.
Former TNI Strategic Intelligence Body (BAIS) chief Vice Marshall (ret.) Ian Santoso Perdanakusuma told The Jakarta Post that he hoped Djoko would be able to promote professionalism, "so we (the TNI) can avoid past experiences of being condemned by our people because of our old behavior, which was considered abuse of power.
"I hope he will never forget the basic needs of our people, democratic conditions, as well as the needs of his troops in becoming a professional military."
On Tuesday evening, Djoko was summoned by the President at the State Palace. Also present during the Tuesday meeting were Army chief Gen. Djoko Santoso, Navy chief Adm. Slamet Soebijanto and outgoing TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.
After the meeting Djoko said the President had nominated him due to his seniority, experience and professionalism as well as to provide a chance to an Air Force chief of staff to become the commander.
"No directives had been given by the President. It's still a long way off, given the House confirmation hearings. But I know that I want to create a professional military," said Djoko.
Endriartono said Djoko's nomination should not be politicized, particularly by other eligible candidates through political parties. Lawmakers will carry out a "fit and proper test" on Djoko before voting on his nomination.
"We're aiming for a reformed and professional military, which means that it must not be involved in politics or be used by any political powers. Thus, I think the selection of a TNI chief shouldn't need House approval as it would only allow politicking in the future," he said.
The Constitution itself, he added, defined the President as the highest commander of the TNI, thus the appointment was his prerogative.