The Role of TIDF In The Society as The Implementation of MOOTW (Military Operation Other Than War)

THE ROLE OF TIDF IN THE SOCIETY AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

MOOTW (MILITARY OPERATION OTHER THAN WAR)

1. Introduction

Tentara Nasional Indonesia or The Indonesian Defense Force (IDF) has 2 main tasks, based on UU No.34 article 7 cited that they are to conduct military operation of war and to conduct military operation other than war. Broadening from its general duties, each service has its own different and specific tasks. Yet all tasks of each service will be resumed as 2 main tasks that mentioned above. 

In relation to military operation of war, the IDF has to deal with any incoming threat to break and bother sovereignty of Indonesia. IDF has to face any of the possibilities of invasion or aggression which is conducted by other nations. It has responsibility to secure air, sea and land of Indonesia's territory by using its power.

On the other hand, another IDF is to conduct military operation other than war which is generally understood as the use of military force in peace time in order to deter war, resolve conflict, promote peace and support civil authorities in response to crisis. So, IDF also has to cope with any problems in society rather than resolve incoming threat. In this term, IDF has to solve such kind of problems of armed rebellion, terrorism, border security, peace keeping operation, VIP protection, disaster relief, Search And Rescue (SAR) and support security in society. In focusing to its role in society, there are 3 tasks of IDF such as disaster relief, SAR and secure society. All mentioned are part of social service in implementing its role in society.

Doing these tasks, IDF itself has problems to run each of task. The main problem is budgetary constraint since IDF only gets the lowest budget distribution of national income. this will influence active participation of IDF to develop society in rural areas which can help government's programs

2. Disaster Relief

The IDF has to support society coping with relieve disaster problems such as SAR, logistics distribution, medical services, debris cleaning, reconstruction, rapid assessment etc. According to UU No.34/2004 article 20, the usage of IDF in this duty depends on the request of the government and IDF has to be prepared just in time of receiving order to do its duties. All tasks in disaster relief will be carried out simultaneously aftermath of a disaster. As soon as possible, IDF will move its closest power projection to give direct and immediate assistance to reduce disaster effects which can be broadened. This will be continued by prolonging more supporting mobilization of humanitarian aids requested by government.

There are some advantages in using IDF to relieve disaster problems because of such reasons as follows ; The organization and chain of command are effective which can be moved in a relatively short time. Furthermore, it has personnels readiness (physically and mentally) which have experienced and trained to face the difficult and demanding situation. Then it also has a field operational equipment which is relatively good and ready for use and the last but not least it has a high mobility capabilities supported by the existing infrastructure/equipments and personnels.

Based on pie chart shown above, it tells us about the most occurrence of disaster where being happened in indonesia. This valuable information can be used by leaders of IDF for preparing not only all means to be used in disaster relief but also standard operating procedures as guidance for deployment units in the vicinity of disaster area in response to relieve disaster problems.

3. SAR 

As it has mentioned before before that IDF has a SAR mission task. This is based on government regulation no.36/2006 cited that whenever maritime and flight accident, the organization of SAR potency must assist BASARNAS. IDF and POLRI are considered as potential resources for SAR operation in this case and both are under the command of Head of BASARNAS and they have a large portion to determine success in SAR mission.

As BASARNAS concept of operation "quick, reliable and safe", IDF has already fulfilled the needs of concept. IDF has deployed its power around Indonesian territory so as the incident occurred, it can deploy its power to conduct SAR mission as soon as possible in coordinating and commanding led by the Head of BASARNAS. IDF has well-trained personnels which have capabilities and competencies as well. Its personnels have already been used to any kind of environments that become media of SAR

The Graph above shows numbers of transportation accident in Indonesia which can be used to determine availability of assets and means to support requested SAR mission by IDF. SAR mission will probably take into account by leaders of IDF since SAR missions are always conducted in water and air accidents whilst IDF has the most number of platforms to do SAR mission. 

4. Secure society

The IDF also has specific role to support society such as giving hand to secure and develop society. Securing society is not a main task of POLRI but also need IDF's support in case lack of POLRI power and IDF will support to solve condition by order of government. For example, during mass demonstration of raise of fuel prices in March 2012 which tended to become riots, while POLRI can not control situation by itself, IDF was detached to support protection of vital objects.

More active participation of IDF in society is to conduct support action to increase and develop society welfare include physical and non physical supports to establish civil and military unity for national defense interest. Physically, IDF has carried out some programs to build infrastructures in remote areas to support government's development programs such as building roads, houses, bridges and reconstructing public facilities.

In reaching non physical goals, IDF has been developing national pride, increasing self national defense awareness, developing knowledge of agriculture community and health and helping government programs to illiterate people. All of activities mentioned before has main goal and the goal is to attract kindly response of civilian to establish goodwill, cooperation and understanding among civilian and military. it will become useful in people defense when country needs to mobilize its people to participate in defense.

5. Problems and Efforts

There are some problems occurred during implementation of its role in society such as budgetary and abolishment of territory structure. These problems arise in recent condition since economic crisis happened in the world which influence Indonesia as well prolong to chaos. This instability causes change in role of military in Indonesia and also reducing its budget since more budget are delivered to economic, trade and education sectors. 

Military budget in Indonesia is only 4.29% of national expenditures and about 60% is spent for paying personnel salaries. Of course it will reduce number of planning programs of involvement in developing society. Despite of doing nothing in solving problem, IDF solves problem by keeping its contribution no matter whether there is either sufficient budget or not although it will reduce the quantity but not the quality of programs.

Since reformation of IDF, It reduces its involvement in any government field or organization. Furthermore this reduces involvement of IDF in society which based on Government regulation that is directed to be responsibility of POLRI. IDF becomes only a backup power of POLRI's Role in society. IDF solves this problem by keeping its readiness to support POLRI in securing society whenever it is needed.

6. Conclusion

IDF has 2 main tasks to guard the national sovereignty and support society. The main task of national sovereignty is obviously clear since IDF is the only institutional organization who deal with incoming threat or foreign invasions. This task relates to war condition whereas IDF has to use its power to bear those threat. 

On the other hand, during peace time, IDF plays an important role to cope with such kind of problems related to society. It must be the greatest portion of its main task because war condition tends not to be occurred for some advance years. Not only training and preparing itself to face imminent attack but it has to deal with its surrounding society since members of IDF comes from society itself.

Based on its main task cited in the government regulation of IDF, there are 3 tasks in relating to society. They are to support disaster relief, conduct SAR mission and develop society. All tasks will be carried out in coordinating to government order. This exhibits that IDF will move forward to face incoming threat and stay behind the line to guard and protect Indonesian sovereignty.