T

he government is set to continue with its controversial State Defense program, a paramilitary training program for civilians, despite concerns that the program will exacerbate thuggery.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said he hoped the program would eradicate three major concerns highlighted by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, namely thuggery, radicalism and drug abuse.

The minister explained that the program would vary, depending on regional needs. He also said the program was not a form of military conscription.

The training will include, among other things, staying at camp to learn about nationalism and discipline and physical training.

It is alleged by some that a training program with the ninth regional military command (Kodam IX) Udayana, held in Bali in June, involved gangsters and mass organization and reportedly included lessons on how to use firearms.

Ryamizard said the program would help curb problems and would transform thugs into productive nationalists.

“I am confident we can achieve our target of 100 million cadres by 2019. We are not preparing them for war, but rather to face separatism, transnational crime and disasters,” he said, claiming that around 60 million citizens had already taken part in the program.

The ministry will develop a map to determine the focus of the program for each area. The program will vary depending on the particular problems relevant to each part of the country. For example, the program will work to tame the growth in radical thinking in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara.

The principles underpinning the program were well received by others attending the meeting.

Intan Ahmad, the director general for learning and student affairs with the Research and Technology and Higher Education Ministry, said he planned to apply the program in universities to ensure that its reach was comprehensive. “There are 4,400 universities across the archipelago with more than seven million students. It will be dangerous if they fall into radicalism. Lecturers have to find time to provide these additional values,” he said.

Institute for Defense and Security Studies (IDSS) executive director Mufti Makarim told The Jakarta Post that if the program was not backed up with comprehensive targets, it could lead to political, social and economic problems.

“The aim of the program is not clear. If it’s part of the President’s ambition for a mental revolution, a militaristic approach is not the answer,” he said.

Thugs or others trained in the program might misuse the power to intimidate other citizens, he said.

“I am also not sure who will be held liable if those people create social unrest in their respective areas,” he said.

The military has been in the national spotlight of late following the excessive involvement of their personnel in the public square.

In Tabanan, Bali, for example, a music concert featuring well-known band Superman Is Dead was guarded by armed military personnel. Those attending the concert wearing shirts expressing their opposition to reclamation projects on the island were reportedly forced to take off their clothes. (fac)