The Indonesian Military (TNI)’s plans to split its military district command in Kalimantan and to deploy a new army base in Papua have attracted international attention, particularly in China, Malaysia, and Australia, TNI spokesman Rear Marshall Sagoem Tamboen said.
“Indeed, neighboring countries would pay attention to them [the plans]. When neighboring countries make a significant move, we would definitely also pay attention to them,” he said Tuesday.
Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsuddin explained that the Tanjungpura military district command now overseeing four provinces in Kalimantan would be split into two district commands, each overseeing two provinces.
The split is aimed at strengthening security with neighboring Malaysia, with which Indonesia shares a 2,000-kilometer border area, he said.
The TNI is also preparing a new infantry base in Sorong, West Papua, but the schedule is not yet fixed.
Sagoem said a number of foreign journalists had sought deeper information about the plan from both the TNI and the Defense Ministry.
“We told them there was nothing special about the military command split. They should not worry about it,” he said, adding that the split would not be followed by personnel additions. “This is only to intensify patrols and security surveillance on the border with Malaysia.”
The University of Indonesia (UI) defense expert Andi Widjajanto said he understood why the plans have attracted international attentions.
“For China, additional commands in Kalimantan might mean a new threat as the country is the major consumer of the coal explored in the region,” he told The Jakarta Post.
Malaysia might also think the same way, he added, but the country might worry more about timber resources.
More military personnel mean’t stricter security and would definitely make it more difficult to illegally exploit natural resources in Kalimantan, Andi said.
“Australia, meanwhile, may focus more on the plan to develop a new [military] base in Papua,” he added.
Australia has been expressing concern about human rights issues in Papua. The new additional military base might be considered as having the potential to worsen human rights abuse, Andi said.
“However, what they are worrying about will not happen as the plan to expand bases will not followed by installing additional personnel.”
When it splits later this year, Tanjungpura military district command in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, will move back to its original base in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, before the 1984 merger of the three military district commands in the island. Meanwhile, Balikpapan will host the Mulawarman military district command.
“Mulawarman will oversee two provinces: East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan,” Sjafrie said.
Source: TheJakatraPost.com (03/31/201)
Comments:
Markus Hagenauer — Thu, 04/01/2010 - 6:04pm
For sure, this new command is not established to protect the boarder. Why should RI be affraid of an invasion vy PNG? The command is established to tighten the grip on the Papuan population and to protect business interests of the military. Indonesian military in the past was mainly acting agains Indonesians or those how are claimed to be Indonesians by Jakarta, but want to be independent, not against other countries.Johny indo (not verified), australia — Wed, 03/31/2010 - 5:58pm
oh hell ya malaysia would worry about indonesian army expands coz they currently enjoy cheap timber,stealing indonesian resources, cheap indonesian workers which malaysian can easily abused the workers.with indonesian army programs malaysia would really in hard time to commit crimes,there's no doubt the indonesian biggest hidden evil enemy is malaysia.
