Hard Tasks for New Indonesian Military Chief
Armando Siahaan & Markus Junianto Sihaloho | September 28, 2010


Jakarta. As widely expected, the House of Representatives has unanimously approved the president’s sole candidate, Navy Vice Adm. Agus Suhartono, as the new chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces. 

House deputy speaker Priyo Budi Santoso confirmed Agus would replace the retiring Gen. Djoko Santoso during a plenary session on Monday. 

But Mahfudz Siddiq, chairman of House Commission I for defense and foreign affairs, which had vetted the new chief’s candidacy, said that the approval was conditional on his addressing a number of priority areas as outlined by the commission. 

Topping his to-do list would be continuing reform efforts within the military, Mahfudz said. 


Other priorities included streamlining the military’s organizational structure; further integrating the Army, Navy and Air Force under one command; continuing the government’s takeover of the Armed Forces’ business assets; and implementing a more transparent and objective recruitment process. 

“The most important thing is to implement the doctrine of trimatra terpadu,” Agus said after the plenary session, referring to the integration of the three forces under a single line of command. 

The commission also ordered the new chief to maintain the neutrality of the Armed Forces in both national and regional elections. Agus has repeatedly vowed to remain politically neutral. 

In light of the recent border dispute with Malaysia, the commission also urged the military to fortify the country’s maritime border, and also “areas vulnerable to separatist movements.” 

Agus said that in dealing with the border conflict with neighboring Malaysia, the military would take prudent and measured actions and not be easily provoked. 

Mahfudz said Agus should also encourage the growth of the country’s defense industry. 

The commission even urged both the government and legislature to allocate more funding to the Ministry of Defense. 

Nurul Arifin, a legislator from the Golkar Party, urged Agus to focus on improving the welfare of the country’s soldiers, who, according to her observations, were “in a worrying state.” 

Diaz Gwijangge, a Papuan lawmaker from the Democratic Party, reminded Agus that more attention was needed on the issue of human rights violations in the troubled province, where the military has frequently been criticized for its use of violence. 

“In terms of Papua, what needs to be considered is the approach to human rights, and the military is committed to improving in that area,” he said, adding that further training for soldiers on human rights issues was important. 

Mahfudz said Agus had an exemplary record in fostering human rights and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) last week confirmed Agus had not been involved in any past violations. 

Yunarto Wijaya, an analyst from Charta Politika, said the military chief’s appointment had been smooth because he was an apolitical figure. By contrast, key positions at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), National Police and Attorney General’s Office, might hold more political interests, he said. 

Andi Widjajanto, a military analyst from the University of Indonesia, said the Armed Forces, unlike the police, was not affected by internal divisions. 

“So it’s easier for the president as well as the House to choose a military chief rather than a police chief because it’s less divisive — there’s only a small risk of resistance,” he said. 

“It’s different with the police, where the president must be very careful to choose a candidate who will not cause problems.” 

But Andi also said the former Navy chief’s appointment would not automatically mean more focus on maritime defense, arguing the military was firmly focused on becoming an integrated armed forces. 

“It means they won’t give special attention to any specific service, development will be integrated at all levels,” he said.


Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/hard-tasks-for-new-indonesian-military-chief/398419