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Jokowi suspected of expanding political power with new defense program
Jakarta Post - October 21, 2015
The human rights activist further said the Defending the State program would pave the way for the Indonesian Military to return to politics because Indonesia's civil society seems to remain hesitant to take hold of its political power.
Bonar said the new defense program seemed to be one way for President Jokowi's administration to give more political power to the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri), in an effort to increase his own political support.
"We've seen that from the very beginning, Jokowi has tried to win the military's support. As we know, Jokowi is vulnerable in terms of political support. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as his supporting party, and members of his coalition in the Cabinet have sometimes challenged his policies [and] groups of volunteers supporting the President are not always clear on their position," said Bonar.
"The situation is getting worse because the TNI seems to have a desire to return to politics," he added.
Bonar said the professed aims of the Defending the State program could be achieved with three alternative measures: expanding the citizenship education already included in the academic curriculum at schools, improving military professionalism in the TNI and strengthening professional development in the workplace.
"We're wondering which part of the Defending of the State program will be rolled out?" he said in a press conference at Setara Institute in Jakarta on Wednesday. "If the Defending the State program ran, it could lead to the creation of militias," he added.
He was responding to an earlier statement by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, who said the government aimed to recruit 100 million personnel for the program within the next 10 years.
Setara Institute researcher Aminudin Syarif said the TNI's interests influenced the creation of the Defending the State program as it could become political capital for them, by, for example, helping it target young voters. "With this program, it would be easier for the TNI to introduce military doctrines to young voters," said Aminudin.
Setara Institute chairman Hendardi questioned what budget allocations the government would provide for program. "With the ambitious target of recruiting 100 million personnel within 10 years, we should ask where the money will come from," said Hendardi. (ebf)
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