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.

Jakarta Post

Amid KPK-police standoff, TNI could reprise Soeharto-era role, say analysts

The Indonesian Military (TNI) could slowly make its way back into the domain of domestic security, a role it played during former president Soeharto's three-decade long rule, say analysts

Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, February 6, 2015 Published on Feb. 6, 2015 Published on 2015-02-06T15:49:48+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

T

he Indonesian Military (TNI) could slowly make its way back into the domain of domestic security, a role it played during former president Soeharto's three-decade long rule, say analysts.

A political analyst from the Indonesian Civilized Circle (Lima), Ray Rangkuti, said on Friday that the threat was imminent, given that public trust in the National Police as the sole guardian of internal security had suffered a severe blow following the conflict between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"The public perceives the National Police as the institution that violates human rights the most," he said during a discussion in Central Jakarta. "This is a challenge because if the police continue in this way, then people will not make a big deal if the military is directly involved in domestic security."

Moreover, the public's trust in the TNI is at an all-time high, according to a recent survey by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI).

The majority of respondents in the survey said the TNI as the most-trusted institution, on a par with the presidency and above the KPK.

Meanwhile, the National Police ranked sixth among 11 institutions.

Ray also pointed out how the Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for 2015-2019 did not clearly distinguish the domains of the TNI and National Police.

"The RPJMN has actually steered the domain of the TNI [back to its original function]," he said.

Indonesia Communion of Churches (PGI) secretary-general Jerry Sumampouw, meanwhile, said KPK chairman Abraham Samad's request for the TNI to secure the antigraft body's headquarters following the National Police's plan to raid the office back in January could also be seen as a warning.

"We understand [why Abraham did that] but it is not right in terms of our country's system," he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.(+++)

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.