TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Paddling between challenges: Opportunities for new TNI chief

This hand-picked selection of military leaders results in strong political control over the military, particularly in maintaining TNI’s neutrality prior to the local elections this year and, most importantly, next year’s presidential election.

Hipolitus Yolisandry Ringgi Wangge (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Fri, January 19, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

Paddling between challenges: Opportunities for new TNI chief New leader: Newly inaugurated Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto (left) strikes a pose with his predecessor, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right), after their handover ceremony at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Nov.9 2017. (Antara/Galih Pradipta)

T

he selection of Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, the former air force chief, as the 20th military commander has sparked little public controversy. The low-profile general had long been predicted to reach the position because of his longstanding relationship with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Jokowi had forged close ties with Hadi since the latter served as airbase commander in Surakarta, Central Java, where Jokowi was mayor in 2011. In 2014, Hadi received a strategic position within Jokowi’s circle as his military secretary.

Some analysts argue it is normal, and even a form of political capital, for the President to have an officer he can trust to control the military, particularly prior to the regional elections this year and the 2019 presidential election.

In addition, political aspirations, as shown by some higher ranking officers such as former commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and Lt. Gen (ret.) Edy Rahmayadi with their controversial statements and actions, would generate a counterproductive image for Jokowi’s administration prior to next year’s presidential election.

Therefore, in dealing with the political aspirations of generals one plausible option is to handpick a high-ranking military officer, as Jokowi has done in choosing his longtime friend Hadi.

The TNI is no stranger to personalized, rather than institutionalized, control of the military. The former has been the model of civil-military relations in Indonesia, even after the New Order’s downfall.

This hand-picked selection of military leaders results in strong political control over the military, particularly in maintaining TNI’s neutrality prior to the local elections this year and, most importantly, next year’s presidential election.

to Read Full Story

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay
{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.