{"id":8732,"date":"2013-08-26T12:00:39","date_gmt":"2013-08-26T02:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?p=8732"},"modified":"2013-08-27T11:43:29","modified_gmt":"2013-08-27T01:43:29","slug":"indonesias-new-military-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/indonesias-new-military-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"Indonesia’s new military chief"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Current<\/a><\/p>\n

On 21 August, the Indonesian House of Representatives endorsed the candidacy of General Moeldoko, Indonesia\u2019s Army Chief, moving him a step closer to becoming commander TNI. With defence ties a key pillar of the Australia\u2013Indonesia bilateral relationship, it\u2019s worth knowing more about the Indonesia\u2019s future military leader (known as \u2018Panglima TNI\u2019) and what this means for Australia.<\/p>\n

Moeldoko finished top of his class and is generally considered to be a high-performing officer. If his first public statements can be taken to encapsulate his approach to the military, then expect an emphasis on military professionalism and soldier welfare. Moeldoko has promised to improve soldiers\u2019 welfare by increasing their pay by 15%<\/a>. He also intends to improve soldier discipline<\/a>, minimise the import of foreign military equipment in order to support Indonesia\u2019s defence industry and remain neutral during the upcoming 2014 elections.<\/p>\n

Of particular interest to Australia is Moeldoko\u2019s background, which is free from incidents of human rights abuse. As such, he\u2019ll set a credible example in military professionalism and soldier discipline. There\u2019s only been one minor controversy so far. There have been allegations that in March 2011, soldiers under Moeldoko\u2019s command at the time were involved<\/a> in encouraging Muslims to occupy Ahmadiyah Muslim mosques (a minority sect of Islam that is unpopular with many Indonesian Muslim groups) to teach Ahmadis the \u2018true path\u2019 of Islam. Despite Moeldoko having reportedly expressed some support for the activities<\/a>, on 20 August, a Human Rights Commission found no evidence to support his direct involvement in that operation. As all incoming military and police chiefs undergo a human rights background check (called a fit-and-proper test), a positive finding would have jeopardise his chances of getting the top job.<\/p>\n

With regards to military culture, Moeldoko wants soldiers to remain humble with civilians<\/a>. And while he admits it might take some time to achieve this, he intends to make changes to the training and education<\/a> to address what he calls \u2018software bugs\u2019 such as a culture of violence and impunity.<\/p>\n

Also important has been Moeldoko\u2019s merit-based appointment. It reflects recognition by the country\u2019s political leadership that TNI needs smart and professional officers. Moeldoko is President SBY\u2019s nomination, but suggestions of nepotism are less tenable in this case: he\u2019s well-known as an \u2018ideas man\u2019<\/a> and enjoys support from other political figures including the deputy head of the House of Representatives<\/a>. This contrasts with the appointment of President SBY\u2019s brother-in-law<\/a>, General Pramono Edhie Wibowo, as the former Chief of Army, which drew speculation of favouritism. TNI has come a long way<\/a> (and still has some way to go) but if it\u2019s to continue relations with foreign militaries and continue professionalising, it needs strong leadership.<\/p>\n

The only thing to watch is Moeldoko\u2019s request that TNI have a greater role in national security matters like \u2018terrorism and communal conflicts\u2019<\/a>. Advocating a greater role for TNI in domestic matters is a means of increasing its prominence and demanding more resources. But as Indonesian defence analyst Iis Gindarsah has stated<\/a>, the military should stay out of domestic issues and concentrate on external threats because it\u2019s really the purview of the police.<\/p>\n

The fact that Moeldoko is requesting this role is also a reflection of the poor job the Indonesian police are doing. The Cebongan incident in March is a case in point. Kopassus soldiers shot and killed four prisoners in Cebongan prison in Yogyakarta while in police custody. Rather than being condemned for vigilante action, the soldiers were praised by Yogyakarta citizens for ridding the city of gangsters<\/a>, a task in which the police was seen to have failed. Rather than playing into this, it\u2019d be far better for Moeldoko to rise above this competition so both Indonesia\u2019s police and military can focus on their own challenges. The appointment of a new police chief later this year will provide some idea about the future effectiveness of Indonesia\u2019s civil forces.<\/p>\n

Overall, Moeldoko will be good for TNI\u2013ADF relations and for Australia. His commitment to professionalism and soldier welfare make him a positive figure and role model of a post-reformasi<\/i> TNI. Moeldoko\u2019s current counterpart, Australia\u2019s Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison, is also committed to improving military professional culture\u2014which suggests some natural complementarity in future ADF cooperation with Indonesia\u2019s forces. Despite occasional incidents like the Cebongan case that impair TNI\u2019s image, Moeldoko seems quite serious about its future. A more professional TNI is always going to be more palatable for the broader Australian polity in Australia\u2013Indonesia relations. And perhaps figures like General Moeldoko can help shift outdated Australian perceptions of TNI in the process.<\/p>\n

Natalie Sambhi is an analyst at ASPI and editor of\u00a0<\/em>The Strategist. Image courtesy of Tentara Nasional Indonesia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On 21 August, the Indonesian House of Representatives endorsed the candidacy of General Moeldoko, Indonesia\u2019s Army Chief, moving him a step closer to becoming commander TNI. 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