Calls to review "inadequate" security arrangements at critical infrastructure - such as airports, hospitals and power plants - are growing following the devastating fire at Pertamina's fuel depot that killed a security guard and destroyed 3000 kilolitres of premium fuel.

Currently, the Indonesian Military (TNI) is responsible for infrastructure security.

However, Centre for Strategic and International Studies researcher Alexandra Retno Wulan said TNI was often in competition with the police force, rather than the two agencies working together.

"Of course the situation is inadequate, but I believe that is not the core competence of the military (TNI) to protect those important places," Alexandra said.

She said the situation would be better handled by a separate body, and called on the government to set up a central security agency.

"There are already provisions in place for the government to set up some kind of high council ofsecurity, like the United State's

National Security Agency, as a coordinator for security issues," Alexandra said.

"The problem is, in Indonesia we are experts at making laws for things, but the capability to actually act and make it work is lacking."

Alexandra said that while she had been involved in reform of the military and intelligence services, she thought police force reform to end the competition between the police and other agencies was the most importance issue facing Indonesian security arrangements.

"We can still count on ongoing reform in the intelligence sector, but this is not the case with police. In terms of protecting infrastructure, a coordinating security body and police reform is vital," she said.

Spokesman for international security consultancy firm Control Risks, Oddbjorn Faugstad, said ensuring cooperation between the military, police force and State Intelligence Agency (BIN), rather than a separate coordinating body, was needed to protect key sites around Indonesia.

"It's unwise to believe that one agency or organisation can single-handedly formulate the solutions. Sharing the knowledge, experience of threats, risk and vulnerability will build trust across agencies and sectors," Oddbjorn said.

"Indonesia has its own unique issues and needs to find a model that ensures interest and desire to learn and share information."

He said reforms of the national security agencies were required to improve public confidence in the institutions.

"The public wants to see visible changes and feel safer in their everyday life," Oddbjorn said.

"This means enhancing the image of law enforcement agencies by ensuring they are well equipped, trained and motivated to carry out their duties."

A recent shake-up of senior National Police officials following a Transparency International Indonesia survey into corruption was met with scepticism by experts in the field, who said little improvement to services would result from the staff moves.

Oddbjorn said eliminating corruption was an important aspect of security sector reform.

"If government agencies are being perceived as engaging in corrupt practices, it is likely to impede on their ability to build trust amongst the public."

"Good relations with the public will motivate people to be actively involved in safeguarding our infrastructure by providing information to help law enforcer make sound decisions."

Alexandra said ensuring that the different agencies worked together was a difficult but necessary measure.

"Basically, we are still a very young democracy. Everyone wants to be the number one, they don't want to work together," she said.

-- JP/Thom Smyth

Popular

Retail sales, consumer confidence ease as Idul Fitri boost dissipates

Students to rally against Prabowo amid economic pressures

Number of forcibly displaced people dips to 118 million: UN