Jakarta – The recent expansion of the Indonesian Military's territorial command in Kalimantan is opening up a room for illegal military businesses and increasing the possibility of human rights violations against civilians, a coalition says.
The Civil Society Coalition comprises 11 civil society organizations, including Imparsial, the National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), the Institute for Defense Security and Peace Studies (IDSPS) and Propatria Institute.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Toisutta officially opened a new command center, called Mulawarman Regional Military Command VI, in East Kalimantan on June 28. Previously, the Army Headquarters had announced a plan to add 22 territorial command centers in Kalimantan, comprising three regency and 19 municipal command centers.
Haris Azhar from Kontras said Wednesday that the expansion of military territorial command posts would facilitate the expansion of illegal military businesses.
"A Kontras research report showed that most illegal military businesses across the country were backed by military members from territorial command offices, such as city and village military posts," he said at a press conference at the Imparsial office in Jakarta.
Haris said that in Kalimantan, military members had supported palm oil companies as they seized land owned by indigenous farmers. He said that in many cases, soldiers had treated indigenous farmers "violently".
A study conducted by Kontras in 2004 showed that illegal businesses were a main benefactor for the military, as they would pay soldiers to provide security for companies, as well as for extortion, smuggling, illegal logging and drug cartels.
IDSPS Executive Director Mufti Makarim said the military's move to expand its presence might be an effort to strengthen its social and political roles in regions.
"The expansion, which follows the pattern of the regional expansion, might be intended to influence the decision-making process at the regional level," he said, adding that the expansion would threaten democracy.
Imparsial Managing Director Poengky Indarti said that considering the country's geographical condition, it would be better to strengthen the Navy and the Air Force.
Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. I Wayan Midhio denied accusations that the territorial command expansion would encourage illegal military businesses and human rights violations. "The Indonesian Military is committed to reform, including eradicating illegal military businesses. The public should give the military a chance to prove its commitment." (rdf)