Indonesia's Armed Forces: Difficult Challenges, New Future

Summary

Indonesia's armed forces will celebrate their 54th anniversary in 1999, but in vastly different circumstances than anyone might have imagined only a year ago. One year after the forced resignation of President Soeharto in May 1998, Indonesia is in political, economic, and social turmoil. Its armed forces establishment is essential for national survival, but its effectiveness as a security force is in question. Under attack for decades of abuses during the era of Soeharto's rule, its reputation has sunk to a low ebb in the esteem of the population.

Thus, in addition to its major missions to defend the nation and maintain domestic stability, Indonesia's armed forces (ABRI or Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia) must now face a plethora of new challenges to its unity and role in society.

ABRI remains the single most cohesive element in Indonesia today, but now — in addition to the normal challenges facing any armed force — it must meet the challenge of regaining the respect of its people. ABRI's reputation has been deeply damaged in a wave of national revulsion over the revelations of major human rights violations in the past. Only after ABRI regains the respect of its population can it most effectively assist the country to restore a tattered economy and implement political reform.

ABRI has important missions to perform at an important turning point in the nation's history. Its senior leadership is mindful of the need to restore lustre to its image. ABRI and its senior officers, speaking privately as well as in public, show a determination to respond to the challenges of a new future that holds both hope and worry for the world's fourth most populous country.

Primary Responsibility: Defence, Security, and Stability

National Defence

The primary responsibility of ABRI, like all nations' armed forces, is to counter any threat to the country's security, foreign or domestic. Indonesia is fortunate in that it does not confront a significant external threat.