Is Indonesian Deputy Minister of Defense Really Needed?

JAKARTA LIFE'S STYLE

The establishment and appointment of a new position, the deputy minister of defense, by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, bring up controversy and essential questions.

The urgency of the position is questioned, besides also the person appointed: Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, whom argued by many human rights NGOs and the families of victims of major human rights violations concerning his role in in the past issue.

The controversy and questions arising now are like echoes from a similar occurence when Purnomo Yusgiantoro was appointed as Minister of Defense to succeeed after Juwono Sudarsono.

Despite his long track-record as minister of energy and mineral resources, which was for at least three periods, practicaly Purnomo's involvement in defense issues, especially the military field, at the time of his appointment was only from his two year service as deputy governor of the National Resilience Institute.

Furthermore, many doubted the capability of the new minister, whom for a time after his appointment asked for time to study the issues of his new post.

With good humor, during a farewell and welcoming event for old and new officials, Purnomo once commented so the press would spare him if he didn't know yet acronyms like 'alutista' (main equipments for weaponry system) because he was a 'newbie'.

Recently the doubt over Purnomo has been neutralized a little after his predecessor, former minister of defense Juwono Sudarsono, vouched for him by stating that issues regarding energy and natural resources, which are diminishing, are very relevant with defense issues.

Thus, Purnomo's presence was justifiable or appropriate to anticipate the challenges of the new age.

At least the vouch had some effect. Even more important was Purnomo's first breakthrough as defense minister in suggesting to waive the oil fuel debts of the National Army to Pertamina, in November 2009, which amounted to Rp. 7.135 trillion.

Purnomo's capability to see an opportunity like the debt waiving was a blessing for the National Army, which so far still has limited budget to be allocated. It's very likely that the National Army was 'wooed'.

Currently, doubt resurfaces after the creation of the deputy minister of defense position in the structure. Not only is the appointed person doubted, but also the urgency of that position.

The main question arising later is regarding the performance efficiency of the new part in the structure when combined with the old and settled structure in the Department of Defense.

Besides, there are also issues of authority, main job description, and function, which many believe might trigger problems and be overlapped, because obviously the organizational structure of the Department of Defense is heftier now.

A number of analysts and academists agree with the last two concerns, that the Department of Defense would become "obese" and inefficient, and eventually these factors would cause overlaps in duties and authorities among the workers.

Senior researcher from the Social Science and Politics Faculty FISIP of the University of Indonesia (FISIP UI), Andi Widjojanto considers it likely that President Yudhoyono wants to copy the organizational structure of the US Defense Ministry, that has an Under Secretary of Defense and a Deputy Secretary of Defense where each position is responsible over different matters.

"The government seems to want to copy the structure in the US Defense Ministry. In the US there's the Under Secretary of Defense, whose job is to oversee all aspects of the armed force. Then there's the Deputy Secretary of Defense, whose job leans toward personnel issues, procurement, and planning."

The concern now is that the position of deputy minister of defense would overlap if it didn't have clear job descriptions and authority. Its position and authority might overlap with those of the general secretary's and the existing director generals', or even with the defense minister's.

Senior researcher of military issues and also teaching staff of FISIP UI, Edy Prasetyono considers the creation and appointment of deputy minister of defense by President Yudhoyono is as back up for defense minister Purnomo.

Edy also considers the support of a deputy minister of defense is needed in the context of assisting as mediator or as the communication line between defense minister Purnomo with the military.

That is very likely since Sjafrie has the capability, experience, and the right "language" that the military can comprehend because Sjarfie comes from the military and is knowledgeable regarding the Department of Defense.

"As to how long the deputy minister of defense should serve in his position, that's up to the president. It could be temporary, or for the next five years. But if it's miming the US Defense Ministry, then the duties and authorities of all parties should be clarified. I see that the deputy minister of defense is not so urgent actually, because the minister already has plenty of aides inside."

However whether the new position of deputy minister of defense shows that doubt has crept from the public to President Yudhoyono himself, such a question would require the government's direct response.

Despite all, in his press conference at the Department of Defense office, Thursday, defense minister Purnomo admitted that he wasn't too worried about overlaps on duties and authorities, whether with himself as the minister, or with the director generals in the ministry.

Purnomo only reminded that the deputy minister of defense is newly appointed. He assured that soon he and the deputy minister and all the relevant officials would come together to divide their duties.

"The president himself (during the appointment) has clearly stated that the deputy minister of defense is to aid the minister of defense in the capacity as overseer of state defense. The good thing is that Mr. Sjafrie is not a new player here. So overlaps are OK. We're used to it in the last two months."(kompas)

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