T

he House of Representatives is deliberating a draft law on a national military reserve, to be ratified this year, while activists continue to question its viability.

The reserve component bill stipulates that among efforts to maintain national security the government must establish a reserve army comprising civilian troops, similar to the Singapore Army Operational Reserve or United States National Guard.  

The Defense Ministry says a reserve army is mandated under the Constitution and would enhance the capacity of the Indonesian Military to face military and non-military threats. Service in the reserve would be mandatory under the new law.

Hari Prihartono, a military expert from the Propatria Institute, said the government needed to consider its economic and political capacity to support and maintain such an army.

“There should be a management system that would prevent the reserve army from abuses of power,” Hari said recently.

“If the allocated budget cannot support a reserve army, it is possible a third party could benefit.”

Indonesian Human Rights Monitor program director Al Araf questioned the mandatory involvement of civilians in a reserve army.

“Article 7 of the bill stipulates that every citizen between 18 and 45 years old is obliged to serve in the reserve army, and whoever refuses will be punished,” Al Araf said.

He added that the bill did not guarantee the right to reject conscription or compulsory military service based on beliefs, conscience or religion. Conscientious objection is protected by a resolution of the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

“The bill only stipulates that mandatory service can be waived because of poor health or reasons other than conscientious objection,” Araf said.

Defense Ministry spokesman I Wayan Midhio said citizens’ service for the reserve army was different to military conscription.

“Military conscription demands that every citizen does military service, while for this reserve we will select those fulfilling several requirements in a recruitment processes.”

While Indonesia may not face wars in coming years, it needs to prepare itself for non-military threats, Midhio added.

“We predict that over the next 10 years competition for resources will be higher than it is now, and that will put pressures on us.” (lnd)