Some lawmakers and activists have urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to nominate a new chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) before the end of this year. The general idea is to provide time and space for public hearings regarding the nominee’s vision on military professionalism.

The situation brings to mind the arguments of Samuel P. Huntington’s “objective civilian control.” The renowned scholar has asserted that the state should encourage “an independent military sphere,” so that “multifarious civilian groups” would not “maximize their power in military affairs” by involving the military organization in political activity. Such interference not only diminishes the effectiveness of military forces and thus a nation’s security, but actually invites the military to involve itself in governance beyond national security affairs.

Naturally, military establishments tend to try to maintain autonomy to gain the resources they deem necessary to organize, arm and recruit most effectively for their tasks. The challenge for democratic governments is to exercise civilian authority while satisfying the legitimate needs of the military in their pursuit of national security.

Based on Article 13 of the 2004 TNI Law, there are three key parameters relating to the promotion of the military’s top commander.

First, the President is entitled to designate and discharge the TNI commander. That prerogative is aimed at preserving “the military’s organizational interests.”

Today, TNI officers still believe their corporate identity remains “the people’s army, guardian of the state, national and professional armed forces.” Because of their expertise and role, some military leaders possess great public credibility and use it to limit or undermine civilian control.

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