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.
Discourse: Soldiers pledge loyalty to the country, not individuals: Moeldoko
Gen
Change Size
Gen. Moeldoko: (JP) (JP)
Gen. Moeldoko: (JP)
The Indonesian Military (TNI) assisted in the organization of the April 9 legislative election, particularly in the distribution of election materials and the provision of security. The Jakarta Post's Dicky Christanto and Imanuddin Razak recently spoke with TNI commander Gen. Moeldoko about the election, retired generals' political affiliations and his own position as a potential vice-presidential candidate.
Question: What is your assessment of Wednesday's legislative election?
Answer: Well, we were able to organize a better election. For our part, the TNI went all out in providing logistical assistance in remote areas.
Of course, we encountered problems in distribution in places like Yahukimo, Musi Rawas and some remote areas in East Nusa Tenggara [NTT] where we could not deliver the materials on time. But overall, everything went smoothly.
Was there any problem with soldiers' neutrality?
So far, we haven't received reports of any violations. Actually, it is not the legislative election that I would worry about, but the presidential election. I have raised concerns over this matter and let's hope that nothing will happen.
What is it about the presidential election that worries you?
As we know, an ex-general has been named a presidential candidate. Many have expressed anxiety that this might drag the TNI into politics again. But I must tell you that we have developed a different mind-set, which is different from the old days. For example, when I was a military district command chief, I was ordered to secure the victory of a political party. And I had to follow that order, otherwise I would have been dismissed. Now it is different as I, personally, will dismiss any officer or soldier who helps secure victory for any political party.
Are any ex-generals trying to use their influence on the TNI?
Well I am sure that our former senior officers are fully aware that soldiers pledge their loyalty to the country and not to individuals. We have outlined very clear and strict regulations that prohibit any active member of the military from involvement in politics.
Ex-generals have joined different political parties. Is that a worry for you?
We're not worried about that because I believe that at the end of the day, they will think through together what is best for this country.
How do you interpret the situation where some ex-generals are lining up behind Prabowo, a presidential candidate with a military background, while some others have stood against them?
It is just political dynamics. No harm will come from it. Trust me.
What characteristics should the future leader of the country possess?
Academically speaking, a leader must possess capability, integrity, loyalty and acceptability. A leader must be able to build public trust and this takes a long time and hard work. Once he wins the people's trust, then he can carry out his duties effectively.
Do any of the presidential candidates possess these qualities?
I do not have the capacity to make such an assessment. Let the Indonesian people decide.
How do you respond to the idea that a pairing of a civilian and another from a military background would be the ideal to lead this country?
This is political reality. Many still view a combination of leaders with civilian and military backgrounds as the best candidates to lead this country. We should view this through a market-mechanism perspective.
Your name was mentioned by some political figures as a potential vice-presidential candidate. What do you say to that?
I thank those who see me as fitting their criteria of a VP candidate. However, my expression of gratitude doesn't necessarily mean that I would accept [the offer]. For now, I will do my best to be a professional soldier and give my best to my country.
Does this mean that you would reject any such offer?
I am a professional soldier who has a superior officer ' the President. I will obey whatever my superior officer tells me to do.
From a defense perspective, what are the future challenges facing the country's leaders?
There are strategic and imminent challenges that lie ahead. The strategic challenge is the situation in the South China Sea, where the arms buildup by countries in the region seems likely to continue. The TNI has been asked to contribute to maintaining stability in the region, to prevent the worst from happening.
Our military was among the strongest in Asia in the 1960s. What is the ideal posture for the TNI in the
future?
The ideal situation for the TNI would be to be able to deploy our forces in all critical points whether at sea, in the air or on land. But this would be too costly. Therefore, we have developed the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) concept, which is aimed at developing the TNI's posture in accordance with our country's economic situation.
How do you perceive the threat of cyber war and what has been done to preempt it?
We have talked with the Communications and Information Ministry regarding the possibility of having our own satellite, as that would be significant for our efforts in catching up with the cyber-war threat. We have also encouraged our officers to learn about this particular matter. Furthermore, we use groups of Internet 'geeks' to help us curb such cyber threats.
Recently, there was a shootout on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border in Papua. How is the TNI handling this problem?
We will be all out in fighting any such armed threats. But right now, we use a different approach to curbing separatist issues. We have now developed a cultural approach and no longer use the security approach, which only arouses suspicion among locals.
We have told our officers to do whatever they can to win the people's hearts and minds. We want the people to feel that their livelihoods have improved, partly because of the presence of our soldiers.
How do you perceive the insurgents' position in Papua right now?
They are apparently tired of fighting. We still encounter them every now and then, but at a lower intensity. I am worried more about the insurgents' political wing rather than their armed comrades. Such a political wing could gain support from other countries. The fact that they have a representative office in London is worrisome.
How do you plan to upgrade soldiers' skills given the lack of conflict areas, areas which were often regarded as military training grounds in the past?
Of course, I don't want my field commanders to lack combat skills. We have withdrawn soldiers from Ambon, Poso and Aceh but we are planning to deploy two battalions to border areas.
To date, we are also in the middle of discussions with the Netherlands regarding the possibility of replacing them in the United Nations' peacekeeping division.
