M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta – Recent occurrences of violence allegedly involving members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) do not necessarily indicate the military has strayed from its path to reform, an analyst has said.

Military analyst J. Kristiadi from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the TNI has done so much to reform itself a recent proposal by US Democratic Party congresswoman Nita Lowey to restrict aid to the TNI is out of place.

"We should explain to her that reform takes a long time and rights abuse allegations could be considered an obstacle on the way to reform," Kristiadi told The Jakarta Post on the weekend.

He said military reform in Indonesia requires support from Western countries, making the proposal for a cut in military aid unrealistic. He said sweeping changes have taken place within the military since a 2004 TNI law was passed recognizing civilian supremacy over the military.

The US House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Foreign Operations was debating a proposal from Lowey over alleged human rights violations by TNI members, the latest being the fatal shooting of residents in Alas Tlogo, Pasuruan, East Java.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill also questioned the TNI's commitment to reform during his visit to the country recently.

Analyst Hari Prihatono from military watchdog Pro-Patria said Indonesia should embark on its own reform path, despite the threat of embargoes from foreign governments. "The threat of another arms embargo will not emerge if the TNI is serious about reforming itself," Hari told the Post.

He said if the TNI is serious about internal reform and is able to come up with its own defense strategy, it could set its own terms when faced with outside pressure.

"In such a situation, the TNI could press the US government to provide arms that suit its strategic defense purposes," Hari said. "However, in spite of military rhetoric about reform, little has changed in the way soldiers operate in the field. The latest shooting incident in Pasuruan is proof of this," he said.

Such a condition would make it difficult for Indonesian diplomats to face inquiry from Western government who queried about the progress of reform in the country. "Our diplomats of course will have difficulties explaining the actual conditions on the field," he said.