Profesionalisme Tentera Era Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono: Dari Agenda Reformasi Kepada Kegagalan Misi (Military Professionalism In Indonesia: From Reform Agenda To Mission Failure)

Abstract

The election of Susilo Bambang Yudhuyono (SBY) as Indonesia’s president in 2004 gave rise to the expectation that the level of professionalism of the Indonesian military will also improve. This prospect is based on his background as a former senior military officer who has the experience to spear head the reform process, but this expectation proved wrong. Although the military no longer intervenes in national politics as had happened in the past, but the former’s continued engagement in business, politics and state owned enterprises is seen as an obstacle to the restoration of professionalism in the military. Therefore, in order to understand and analyse the level of military professionalism in SBY’s presidency, this paper discusses the level of military involvement in Indonesia’s political affairs, business, elections and the former’s sensitivity towards human rights. In addition, this article will also discuss the steps taken by SBY in reforming the military during his reign. The main argument of this article is that military professionalism in Indonesia during President SBY’s rule is slowly improving, although the pace by which this improves is rather slow.