Security Sector Governance

In Indonesia, the military’s dual function during the New Order government under Suharto enabled it to become a dominant political force. Ironically, although the military had reserved seats in parliament and in the cabinet, its members were not allowed to vote, a situation that remained true today. ABRI was reorganised to become the TNI where the police was separated from the military. While the military’s dual function remained under siege especially from civil society groups, the weakness of civilian political institutions and President Megawati Sukarnoputri’s own inability to govern is likely to install a retired general as the next President
of Indonesia in the run-off elections held on 20 September 2004. Inadequate training in police work among the Indonesian police has led to the continuing commission of human rights violation by its members in the course of the performance of their duties. Despite this handicap, however, it has racked up a decent record of investigating and arresting suspects in the terrorist bombings in Bali (2002), in Jakarta’s JW Marriott Hotel (2003), and the recent Australian Embassy (2004). Controlling Indonesia’s security sector could remain problematic so long as civilian oversight institutions remained relatively weak.

Security Sector Governance and Practices in Asia by Carolina G. Hernandez, PhD