Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – As it observes its 61st anniversary, the Indonesian Military (TNI) is still reluctant to abandon its old political culture, politicians and analysts say.
Outspoken legislators of major political factions criticized what they called the military's resistance to internal reform and its ignorance of the 2004 law on the TNI, which requires the military to withdraw from politics, cease business activities and concentrate on improving its professionalism.
They cited the military's demand for voting rights for its personnel, its rejection of civilian court trials and its still-chaotic arms procurement procedures as proof.
Yuddy Chrisnandi of the Golkar Party said the reform movement, which began following the downfall of former president Soeharto in May 1998, had yet to bring major changes to the military.
Yuddy said it appears the TNI still does not trust local police to keep order in some traditional areas of conflict. "According to our recent survey, the military in their daily appearance and operation is still deploying members in Papua, Aceh, Poso and urban areas," he said Wednesday.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has frequently asked the military to stay out of politics.
Djoko Susilo of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said that in compliance with military law, the TNI must be put under the defense ministry so that there will be no room for the military elite to appear on the political stage.
"The completion of internal reforms in the military has to come from the President in his capacity as supreme commander of the TNI, and he has to give full authority to the defense minister to control the military, including arms procurement," he said.
The law gives the Defense Ministry sole authority over the supply of arms for TNI Headquarters and all forces, and requires the TNI to give up all of its businesses, which have been a majore source of income for the military.
Djoko said his faction would fight for a bill that transfers some trials of military personnel to the civilian court system, an idea that has faced apparent reluctance from the TNI.
Sabam Sirait and Andreas Pareira of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle said a main condition of reform in the TNI was improving the military's welfare.
"The military budget must be covered by the state budget to make it professional, modern and deployable anytime... to defend the country's sovereignty," said Sabam. He noted that the lowest pay of low-ranking personnel is under Rp 1 million a month.
Sabam argued the government should allocate four percent to five percent of the gross domestic product for the defense budget to at least allow it to counter the military power of neighboring states, especially Singapore.
Analyst Andi Widjajanto blamed stagnant reform in the military on civilians, especially the House of Representatives.
"The House, which has legislative and budgetary rights and the control function, has no political courage to push for military reform," he said. He cited the defense commission's recent decision to allow the government to purchase 32 armored vehicles from France without a public tender. Andi said the House must exercise its authority to oversee defense and the military.