Defence Spending

Mar 13th, 2007, in IM Posts, by David

View the original article here.

13 Comments on “Defence Spending”

Ihaknt Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Mmm, let’s hope the corruption is not up by 20% otherwise this department will be running on a negative margin.
Dimp Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 4:55 am
15% is to adjust for the corruption.
Chris Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
If Indonesian defence forces are looking to save money, why don’t they reduce some of their operations in Papua? They are doing a lot more harm (e.g. human rights abuses, creating man-made famines, passing on AIDS, etc.) than good there anyway.
Mohammed Khafi Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
TNI chief Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto Said:

We will also focus on enhancing security on the outer islands this fiscal year.

Perhaps he reads Indonesia Matters?

Peace
Robert Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
therighteousdude,

I think the TNI will be very reluctant to reduce their operation in Papua, The cooperation with Freeport is a very profitable one. I don’t know how much Freeport is paying them, but it will be profitable enough for the TNI to keep their operation running there.

Mohammed Khafi,

Maybe this was the first time that Air Chief Suyanto saw a map of Indonesia with it’s airforce bases? So it was a good thing that the map was published on IM, so finally the outer islands get some protection!
1ndra Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
The western islands’ defence are holding. :lol

Well, the tni should buy more ships/aircraft to protect Indonesia from infiltrators and destructors, like illegal fishing, illegal logging, and illegal tresspasing like what Malaysia did.
Global Voices Online Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
[...] Matters has a post on Indonesia’s Defense Minister explaining why they need to raise the defense budget by 15%. Preetam [...]
Riccardo Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
The small defense budget is really a major obstacle to reaching the three major targets of improving the operational preparedness of all military units, soldiers’ social welfare and soldiers’ professionalism.

Why should it cost more money to improve “soldier’s professionalism”?

Sounds like typical mafia extortion tactics, something like: ‘Our soldiers will remain rights abusers and remain involved in human trafficking, illegal logging, casinos and drugs UNLESS you give us more money.’

Does it really cost so much money to tell the soldiers, “No you are not allowed to break the laws of NKRI”? Does it really cost so much money to throw them in the BRIG if they do violate the military code of ethics or the laws of RI?
Bas Says:
March 14th, 2007 at 2:51 am
That TNI thing is just a big joke and total wasting of money. Give the money to the education not to those useless “soldiers”.
Hassan Says:
March 14th, 2007 at 9:51 am
I seriously doubt the 15% raise will result in tangible improvement within the TNI. It will not translate into reliable modern weapon systems or a sustainable welfare for the average soldier. The money will most likely be used to pay the extravagant markups whenever the TNI procure anything and to increase the wages of the colonels, generals and joint chief-of-staffs.

“Sudarsono said, adding a greater part of the budget would be spent on paying wages to soldiers and staff.”

I had a feeling they will prioritize the staffs’ wages (high ranking officers) first, then the leftovers can be given to the soldiers. Poor guys.
1ndra Says:
March 14th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Just watch the news, Indonesia is really being bugged by illegal sand export.

And if it doesn’t stop in the right time and reconstruct, Riau will be in great disaster.
Hassan Says:
March 18th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
1ndra: “And if it doesn’t stop in the right time and reconstruct, Riau will be in great disaster.”

Of course. But what can we do if members of the TNI themselves gave the backing on such operations? In years to come we must expect to lose some of the islands there due to abrasion and excessive sand mining, submerged under the sea.
1ndra Says:
March 18th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Then those people are subject to be drowned too.