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Blog IMO: Free ‘Em All
Twenty Indonesian sailors en route to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were taken hostage by Somali pirates on March 16
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wenty Indonesian sailors en route to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were taken hostage by Somali pirates on March 16.
The pirates have increased their ransom demands from US$2.6 million to $9 million. The health of the hostages is reportedly worsening, but as usual the government has no response.
Many people, myself included, suggest that the government send the Indonesian Army’s Special Forces [Kopassus] to free the hostages. It is the right time for the Indonesian Military [TNI] to show us that they can make us proud.
The TNI’s last show of force in a rescue operation was at Don Muang Airport in Bangkok in 1981 when an ill-fated Garuda Indonesia flight was hijacked by Islamic extremists.
The operation was very successful and elevated the TNI’s special forces to the level of the world’s best commandos.
To ensure that a hostage rescue operation is successful, we should remember what happened in 1981.
First, our best leaders — president Soeharto and army intelligence chief Benny Moerdani — were in their best form.
The pair had worked together in the Mandala operation to free (or, as some might say, annex) Papua. They showed strong character and commanding leadership — things which are rare in the post-Pak Harto era.
The commandos counterterrorism ability was not created overnight. It was Benny Moerdani who analyzed that the hijacking would pose a threat to national security.
A counterterrorism unit was established and later led by Sintong Panjaitan. They learned how other countries’ commandos worked and Sintong concluded that the key of success in commando operations would be unrelenting simulations.
Second, Benny Moerdani had great confidence in his soldiers to free the hostages. He asked Pak Harto not to negotiate with terrorists and to choose the military option so his men could finish the job. Pak Harto agreed and gave permission for the rescue.
Confidence, quick decision making and daring to take risks were key in this process. If Benny lacked confidence there would have been no military action taken against the terrorist. If Pak Harto had an indecisive character, there would have been no chance for the TNI to show its power.
Louis Pasteur said that chance favors the prepared minds. And the well-trained commandos were given their chance to prove their ability on the world stage.
The operation was effective and efficient. It took only 60 hours from the start of the hijacking to the last gunshot. After the operation, TJP Purba, a TNI commando, said: “Our principle is very simple: be silent, decisive and aggressive”.
Third, it was Benny who himself led the commandos to storm the hijacked airplane. He was already a general at that time and didn’t need to risk his life in battle.
But he did.
He said the right place for him was with his troops. What a brave leader!
It is reminiscent us of Israelis army battle cry: Follow me. An Israeli commander must be in the vanguard — not in the tent behind the scenes — showing his men how to fight the enemies directly. As a result, a leader will get much more respect from his followers whether he is either dead or alive.
It brings us to the current situation of our captive citizens in Somalia. Do we still have the brave leaders capable of taking bold action like Pak Harto and Benny? Are our commandos still at their best?
Pak SBY, to some extent, you have failed to protect Ahmadi, our minority citizens. Now it’s time for you to prove your leadership by saving our citizens abroad.
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