A Report on Establishing Civilian Supremacy in Southeast
A Report on “Establishing Civilian Supremacy in Southeast Asia” By Harold Crouch Lucio B. Pitlo III AS 210 July 17, 2008
AUTHOR: HAROLD CROUCH Education n BA- Melbourne University n MA- University of Bombay n Phd- Monash University Career n Presently Professor, Department of Political and Social Change, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University n Taught political science at the University of Indonesia (1968 -71) n Taught political science at the National University of Malaysia (197585, 1988 -90) n Taught political science at the University of the Philippines (1983 -84) n Director, Indonesia Project, International Crisis Group (2000 -02)
AUTHOR: HAROLD CROUCH Interests n Southeast Asian politics, particularly Indonesia. Key Publications n Trade Unions and Politics in India (1967) n The Army and Politics in Indonesia, Cornell University Press, 1978 n Malaysian Government and Society, Cornell University Press and Allen & Unwin, 1996
HISTORICAL CONTEXT n n n Cold War- Asia as the battleground for communism and capitalist-based democracy (i. e. Indochina, Korea) Rise of military intervention in politics Western support for military dictatorships by the West as a vanguard against the spread of communism (e. g. Marcos in RP)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT TIMELINE OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis; Military coup in Burma established military rule 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident; Increased US presence in South Vietnam 1965 150, 000 US troops sent to Vietnam; Failed coup plot in Indonesia led to reprisals against communist elements within the army and in society 1967 Formation of ASEAN 1972 Signing of US-USSR SALT I 1975 US defeat in Vietnam brings victory to communism; Communist Khmer Rouge rose to power in Cambodia; Communist Pathet Lao took power in Laos 1976 -83 Military ruled in Thailand 1978 -79 Vietnam invaded Cambodia and toppled the Khmer Rouge 1979 Iranian Revolution 1985 Iran-Contra Affair
INTENTION OF THE PAPER n n Concerned with the challenge for Indonesian elected government to establish civilian supremacy over the military Compare the civilian-military relations as experienced by different Southeast Asian countries
RP EXPERIENCE n n Military withdrawal among Southeast countries was easiest in the Philippines It was a civilian dictator who called for the military; government remained largely under civilian control with only few cabinet positions afforded to active and retired generals; defense ministry was under a civilian minister RAM as representing the few politicized military elements, but which grew more prominence after Marcos’s martial rule staging 8 failed coups during the Aquino administration Civilian supremacy enshrined in 1987 Constitution
THAI EXPERIENCE n n n Military withdrawal more difficult Thai military has a history of actively participating in politics and governance Military coup welcomed when it ousted unpopular regimes, but military rule is also criticized for its human rights abuses Military’s hold in power checked by factionalism and infighting Military retired from politics after popular outrage over their handling of mass demonstrations in the early 1990 s Since then, Thai military became more professional
INDONESIAN MILITARY DURING SUHARTO’S REGIME n n n Military were entrenched in the government from the cabinet ministries, national and regional parliaments, regional and local government units, foreign service, justice and leadership in state-owned enterprises Presence of military counterpart for almost all civilian government positions Developed Dwifungsi (dual function) doctrine, saying that on account of the military’s participation in the struggle for independence, they are entitled to play not only the role of a professional military, but also an actor in the sociopolitical life of the country
INDONESIAN MILITARY DURING SUHARTO’S REGIME n n n Territorial organizational structure reinforced military role and contributed to militarization; 2/3 of the army’s battalions scattered throughout the country This structure checked the rise of social unrest and ethnic, religious or social strife; it was also used to monitor the activities of political parties, religious orgs, NGOs, student groups, trade unions etc. Central troops- Kostrad (Strategic Reserve Command) and Kopassus (Special Forces)- are called in the event that territorial troops would need augmentation Police integrated in the military and given military training Military given access to spoils, legal and otherwise, getting their support for the maintenance of the status quo
INDONESIAN MILITARY IN THE POST SUHARTO YEARS n n n n n Change in the military mind-set during the mid 1990 s, with many encouraging Suharto to step down Many in the military still admire the dictator so no use of force to oust him came from the military Resentment over his patronage politics (i. e. favoring of family, cronies in business) and use of military for his personal interests (i. e. overthrow of Megawati as leader of IDP in 1996) Failure by Suharto to initiate or foresee the need for reforms in light of the Asian financial crisis which hit Indonesia Suharto compelled to step down amidst widespread street demonstrations The next president, Habibie depended on the military to add legitimacy to his term Easing of restrictions in criticizing the military led to a barrage of attacks against the military for protecting and lending itself as an instrument for the authoritarian Suharto regime Gen. Wiranto apologized over military excesses in Aceh, but refused to acknowledge the scale and magnitude of the abuses Military intervention in East Timor further eroded its credibility
REFORMASI “New Paradigm” advanced- envisions a professional military cushioned from politics and concerned more on external defense n Reforms implemented -Reduction of military officers in electoral and govt seats -Active military officers to divest from running for elections or taking govt seats -Disassociation of the military from Golkar, the political party of Suharto, and observance of neutrality during elections -Police separated from military and internal security considered a police matter -From Dept of Defense and Security to Dept of Defence to stress new focus -Acceptance of the concept of civilian supremacy among the military ranks; civilian as new Minister of Defence -Pres. Wahid conducted reshuffling of military commands to place reform-minded officers in the best positions to effect change -Gen Wiranto dismissed from Cabinet and made to face charges of abuses during the East Timor campaign n
CHALLENGES TO THE REFORM PROCESS n Army’s territorial structure n n n SARA n n n Identified as prone to abuse and an obstacle to full democratization Reduction in the no. of territorial command troops proposed Military is recognized as the most effective force to deal with ethnic, social, religious and regional conflict Military can be called on during times of crisis Military prerogatives n n Many in the military believed that their duty to protect their country, at times, may justify their going above the law In instances when stability, national unity and public order is at stake, some argue that they can supersede civilian institutions
THESIS n n n If the economy became better, social order maintained and political institutions are functioning well, there will be lesser justification for military intervention The return of the military will be met with strong public opposition Strengthening of political parties centered on policies and platforms as a possible antidote against military adventurism
CRITIQUE AND REACTION n n n n Police is still inadequate to maintain peace and order in the archipelago considering its sheer size No guarantee that the replacement of military by police will amount to lesser cases of human rights violations Military presence is crucial in maintaining the territorial integrity of the country amidst separatist aspirations by some ethnicbased movements (i. e. GAM in Aceh, Papua) Military presence is also critical in staving off ethnic, social and religious conflicts What will happen to military men made redundant by the reforms (i. e. troop reduction)? How will the military face the specter of losing their opportunities for material advancement that they use to enjoy abundance? Despite the inroads of the reforms, few higher ranking military gets punished for war crimes or abuses No thorough investigations on alleged military excesses were made
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