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Govt slammed for TNI security payments
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A U.S. court's decision to proceed with a trial against oil giant ExxonMobil has exposed the Indonesian government's ignorance over the paid military protection of foreign interests in the country.
A U.S. judge ruled Wednesday in Washington that the 11 Acehnese plaintiffs had provided sufficient evidence for their allegations against Exxon Mobil Corporation and its affiliates of killings and torture committed by military security forces protecting and paid for by the mining company.
Defense and international relations expert Bantarto Bandoro of the Institute of Defense and Security Studies (Iodas) said the court might have seen indications that the company channeled money and provided facilities to the TNI.
"The trial wouldn't have proceeded if the judge could not link ExxonMobil with the TNI, as the mining company must have records on money and facilities it provided to the military," he said. "I think all the records will be disclosed during the trial."
Bantarto slammed the military for not telling the truth about money it received from ExxonMobil, and accused the government of turning a blind eye on the practice.
Exxon has dismissed the accusations, calling the case baseless.
On Thursday, TNI chief Gen. Djoko Santoso denied the military had ever received money from ExxonMobil.
"I've never received any money from Exxon during my time as TNI chief," he said.
Former Army chief Gen. (ret) Ryamizard Ryacudu supported Djoko's statement, saying all military operations in Aceh had been financed by the state.
However, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono did not rule out the possibility that the TNI received money for its protection of multinationals' facilities, citing security services provided to PT Freeport Indonesia as an example.
He said that a number of ministers believed foreign companies had paid the military to guard their facilities.
"The contribution, however, must have been made through a civilian institution instead of directly to the TNI," he said.
Freeport, however, said in its latest annual report that it had paid US$9 million in "support costs" to the Indonesian military and police in 2007 to protect its operations.
Lawmaker Djoko Susilo acknowledged some TNI rogue units or personnel, but expressed doubt that the problem was systemic throughout the institution.
"The TNI or Defense Ministry never submitted reports or documents regarding the issue, so we think it is done by individuals rather than institution," he said.
Poengky Widarti of Imparsial said the ruling would open possibilities for the continuation of two cases filed by Papuans to the U.S. court against U.S.-based Freeport McMoRan, which has a massive gold and copper concession in Papua province, where separatist tensions are simmering.
Tom Beanal and Yosefa Alomang have separately filed lawsuits against Freeport with the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, since 1996.
Jaleswari Pramodhawardani of the Indonesian Institute, however, said that all cases against Freeport and Exxon must provide hard evidence linking them to the TNI.
