Drugov Alexey

Indonesian Army: Present Political Role.

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2022, №1(54), 89-108

 
Annotation: The evolution of the Indonesian Army political role in the society reflects the problems arising before the democratic reforms in Indonesia since 1998. Generals Andika Perkasa and Dudung Abderachman appointed in 2021 respectively Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Chief-of-Staff of the Land Forces repeatedly expressed their intention to limit the Army’s role to merely defense problems. But remaining real threat of Islamic radicalism and terrorism as well as armed separatist movement in Papua provinces become the reason and pretext for the army’s involvement in internal problems including religious ones. Some Indonesian analysts consider it to be a threat to democratic process. The military leaders express their intention to use political approach to face separatism in Papua, but separatist leaders are not yet inclined to dialogue. Indonesia – US military cooperation is rising including series of joint military exercises. Considerable measures are taken for technical re-equipment of the Armed Forces, especially Air Forces.

Keywords: armed forces, land forces, army, political role, separatism, Moslem radicalism, terrorism, democratic reforms, military elite, Papua provinces