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TNI restructuring: A must-go-on undertaking
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has historically played a significant role, either directly or indirectly, in the country’s social, economic and political affairs since its establishment in 1945, including general elections, which mostly have been held every five years.
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Show of strength: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) raises a clenched fist along with (from left to right) Army chief of staff Gen. Mulyono, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, Army Special Forces (Kopassus) chief Maj. Gen. Madsuni and State Secretary Pratikno during a visit to the Kopassus headquarters in Cijantung, Jakarta. (Presidential Office/Rusman)
T
he Indonesian Military (TNI) has historically played a significant role, either directly or indirectly, in the country’s social, economic and political affairs since its establishment in 1945, including general elections, which mostly have been held every five years. A major breakthrough, however, came only in 1999 — in the wake of Reformasi — when the nation decided that the TNI should quit politics and businesses, and become a professional defense force instead.
This transformation has not been smooth. Its business wings, in the form of foundations in the Air Force, Army and Navy, remain operational but only focus on improving the welfare of soldiers. Meanwhile, a number of high-ranking officers still hold positions in defense-related state-owned companies. Politically, no serving TNI officer can hold a civilian government post unless he or she resigns from service.
Unfortunately, despite the TNI’s commitment to professionalism, there have been attempts to lure the armed forces back into politics. One case in point was the involvement of a village supervisory non-commissioned officer (Babinsa) in a questionnaire on voters’ preference for candidates contesting the 2014 presidential election.
While Army Headquarters, which supervises Babinsa officers, insisted that the move was for internal purposes only, doubts lingered whether the questionnaire had any relation to either of the two presidential candidates contesting the election.
