Conference paper
An increasing role for the TNI in Indonesian security policy
Proceedings of the 16th Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, pp.1-14
Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA): Asia Reconstructed: from critiques of development to postcolonial studies, 16th (Wollongong, Australia, 26-Jun-2006–29-Jun-2006)
Australian National University, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Gender Relations Centre
2006
Abstract
Endorsement of an increased role for the Indonesian military (Tentara Nasional Indonesia or TNI) in national security and politics emerges from several tiers of society. The general public, the armed services and the Indonesian government have, in recent times, approved of or initiated such a direction for the TNI. In May 2006 the Indonesian Survey Institute (Lembaga Survei Indonesia) conducted a poll querying citizens on the role of the TNI. Although not claiming to be a definitive ballot the results gave an indication of public perceptions, revealing for example, that 'a percentage of those surveyed considered the presence of a territorial military control structure (Koter, Komando Teritorial) imperative to the maintenance of law and order and public safety in society'. Executive government too has indicated a need for greater TNI responsibility in Indonesian security policy. In October 2005, in response to an increasing terrorist threat, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and TNI Commander-in-Chief Endriartono Sutarto announced the reactivation of military territorial command. This paper will discuss why sections of the community and government are calling for an increased role for the military. It describes the influence of socio-historic perceptions of the TNI and the more recent push for the government to implement effective counter terrorism policies. It then considers the hazards of increased military powers, examining the current standing of the TNI in the areas of military business and civil military relations. The paper reveals an organisation that despite ongoing reforms is still plagued by corruption and an underdeveloped culture of professional military behaviour.
Details
- Title
- An increasing role for the TNI in Indonesian security policy
- Authors
- Suzanne Burford (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Contributors
- A Vickers (Editor)M Hanlon (Editor)
- Publication details
- Proceedings of the 16th Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, pp.1-14
- Conference details
- Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA): Asia Reconstructed: from critiques of development to postcolonial studies, 16th (Wollongong, Australia, 26-Jun-2006–29-Jun-2006)
- Publisher
- Australian National University, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Gender Relations Centre
- Date published
- 2006
- ISBN
- 9780958083737
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2006 The Author. Reproduced with the permission of the author.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450277002621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
Metrics
50 File views/ downloads
563 Record Views