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Issue of the day: Civilian supremacy, or civilian inferiority?
Civilian supremacy: Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen
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Civilian supremacy: Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right), accompanied by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, responds to questions raised by legislators during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I on information, defense and foreign affairs at the House on Oct. 19. After the reformasi era, the military has been put under civilian control and the defense portfolio has been given to civilians.(JP/DON) (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right), accompanied by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, responds to questions raised by legislators during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I on information, defense and foreign affairs at the House on Oct. 19. After the reformasi era, the military has been put under civilian control and the defense portfolio has been given to civilians.(JP/DON)
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span class="inline inline-center">Civilian supremacy: Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right), accompanied by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, responds to questions raised by legislators during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I on information, defense and foreign affairs at the House on Oct. 19. After the reformasi era, the military has been put under civilian control and the defense portfolio has been given to civilians.(JP/DON)
Feb. 7, p5
After nearly 18 years of reform, public recognition of the Indonesian Military (TNI) as both defender of the state and a choice for national leadership has barely changed, although the once mighty force has stepped away from practical politics.
Candidates with military backgrounds have marked political contestation ever since democratic elections were held in 1999. Many still believe Indonesia needs the guardianship of military figures, as civilian politicians are often perceived to be unprepared to lead the nation in the face of global challenges.
After 10 years under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, once billed as a reform-minded Army general, Indonesians almost put their trust in another general, Prabowo Subianto, in the 2014 election. Prabowo eventually lost the race to up-and-coming local politician Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, but clearly the public psyche of looking to a leader with a military background remains alive.
Your comments:
There is no such thing as civilian supremacy. Unless you are talking about the rich corporate criminals who control the government.
Charles Jarret
Democracy is only a tool for the creditability of the government. In earlier times it was God that ensured a good monarch; today it's the people's voice. If the military plays on this and becomes a military of the people, it will be the best choice. The TNI has, as the article mentioned, kept itself in the background, which has earned it points in the eyes of the public. This doesn't make it better or worse. One thing to mention is that military figures often do not have large vested business interests, at least not when they are elected, which makes them appear 'cleaner'.
One of the basic pillars of a functional democracy is education to ensure homogenous voters. A stable democracy needs people to have similar beliefs on how the country should be run. Unfortunately, Indonesia is facing a political crisis due to a lack of education on politics and the national economy.
Even the legal field is faced with people educated in outdated views on how law and order should work in general and in a democracy in particular. This makes the choice of a firm military figure a safe bet and if that person keeps the 'consensus' among wannabe politicians, then it works, just like former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono did. It makes it 'safe' without actually moving forward a lot. Indonesia has a lot to fix, but with the slow pace and low political willingness, it will take a very long time to materialize.
Orang Biasa
Most successful democracies do not have a single, homogenous viewpoint. Most successful democracies get that way by valuing argument, looking at things from different viewpoints and then working toward a consensus that all can be comfortable with. This is how you grow a strong democracy. Consider a nation like France ' the home of modern democracy. Argument, critiquing the status quo and more are highly valued in France.
If a nation doesn't want to do this work of having an ongoing critical dialogue with itself about its nature, beliefs, ideals, etc., then the alternative is some strongman or agency at the top pushing down, forcing consensus.
Alba
The possibility of untouchability of the military by law enforcers had been predicted even before Jokowi's presidency. There is a long and winding political road to be traversed, besides political courage.
Politically, in the current situation, Jokowi has to play the game rationally. Prioritizing might be his choice as his accomplishments in other spheres would possibly give him a better chance.
Khairil Azhar
Prioritizing trying to build infrastructure (and only infrastructure) seems to be what Jokowi has settled on achieving. And nothing more. Not capacity building in governance, for example, and what a mess.
Unfortunately, you can't even build infrastructure if you have poor governance. Look at the high-speed rail mess.
A2
