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TNI joint commands face many hurdles, say experts
The plan to establish joint area defense commands (Kogabwilhan) among forces in the Indonesian Military (TNI) faces many challenges, experts say
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T
he plan to establish joint area defense commands (Kogabwilhan) among forces in the Indonesian Military (TNI) faces many challenges, experts say.
Such commands would integrate the regional resources of the Army, Navy and Air Force into multi-service groups that would be positioned at certain defense flash points integral to preserving the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In the plan, each Kogabwilhan group would be equipped with its own fleet of warships, jet fighters and Army units. Each group's commander, a three-star general, would be given the authority to respond to incidents without having to go through the red tape at TNI headquarters in Jakarta.
'The idea is good but I see several challenges that need to be addressed in this new plan,' military expert Al Araf told the The Jakarta Post recently.
First, according Al Araf, was how to make the three divisions; the Army, Navy and Air Force, either its form or its troops, integrated. Second was how to restructure the TNI, and third was how the commands would equally represent the Army, Navy and Air Force.
'The Army has dominated the military since [Soeharto's] New Order era. This new plan should settle how to give the same power to the Navy and Air Force,' he said.
According Al Araf, restructuring the Army was required to adjust the idea of Kogabwilhan.
'The Army took control of territory in the New Order era using its regional military command [Kodam] and its lower-level commands, Kodim and Koramil,' he said.
Another military expert, Mufti Makarim, suggested that government conduct an in-depth assessment of threats to Indonesia, so the plan would not waste state money.
He said the idea to form joint commands was based on Presidential Regulation No. 10/2013, to address potential threats to Indonesia's territory.
'The threats should be in-line with the concept of joint commands. We should avoid having joint commands without certain aims because they require big investment,' Mufti said, adding that the military should work on a coordination strategy to avoid overlapping commands.
'The leaders of joint commands should not be high-ranking commanders and be respected by the three divisions,' he said.
According to Mufti, the joint commands, if they materialized, would give the TNI a new objective.
'Today, the military focuses on internal conflicts as it has Kodams in each area. Joint commands will make the TNI switch its focus to external threats. Internal problems will be addressed by the police,' Mufti said.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu did not elaborate on the potential challenges of Kogabwilhan.
'We will review the matter,' Ryamizard said after attending an executive meeting at the Defense Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Ryamizard added the government would try hard to ensure the plan would be implemented smoothly for the sake of Indonesia's sovereignty.
In November, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo agreed to continue with the TNI's plan for Kogabwilhan, which are designed for flexible and rapid-troop deployment.
The idea of Kogabwilhan emerged in 2008 under the leadership of Jokowi's predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
