Question and Answer

2012-04-01

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, third from left, inspects Special Forces Command (Kopassus) Soldiers during the 66th anniversary ceremony for the Indonesian armed forces in Jakarta on October 5, 2011. [AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE]

Q Why is coordination so challenging when disaster strikes?

A A serious issue in the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] region concerns the frequency with which disasters strike. We all know that our region is highly prone to disasters. One example is the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan a few months ago, claiming thousands of lives and destroying property and infrastructure. In another, we can still recall in vivid detail when [in 2004], Aceh was hit by a gigantic tsunami that similarly left hundreds of thousands dead amid a vast trail of devastation. In my opinion, there are two key aspects of disaster relief that call for our attention.

First, we need to build regional capacity and coordination, using the newly established AHA Center [ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Management]. Second, we need to hold joint exercises on disaster relief, such as in ARF-DIREX [ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief Exercise] in Manado, Indonesia, in March 2011, co-chaired by Indonesia and Japan.

TNI Rear Adm. Iskandar Sitompul and Col. Minulyo Suprapto evaluate Asia Pacific Defense FORUM during an interview at TNI headquarters outside Jakarta, Indonesia, in March 2011. [forum staff]

The prerequisites for successful emergency responses to disasters include leadership and coordination. If leadership and coordination are absent or weak, the result will be confusion, breakdown, losses and catastrophic failure. This leadership and coordination should naturally be provided by the authorities (government) with participation from the public. In a disaster situation, successful participation from all elements of society depends to a great extent on leadership and coordination. Those involved in leadership and coordination of emergency responses to disasters must have the ability to make quick, appropriate and bold decisions; stand resolute; and operate a system of instructions and not discussion.

The work of disaster management is a tough job, as no one has the ability to put in place all the preparations necessary for work of such an unpredictable nature. Even so, it is far better to make preparations than to have none at all. Therefore, if we want to be a society that always has the readiness to deal with the challenges of a disaster, we should keep learning from the many disasters that have occurred.

Indonesian Special Forces, or Kopassus, attack a mock terrorist during a joint anti-terrorism drill with Australia’s elite Special Air Service unit at the Bali International Airport in Kuta, Indonesia. [the associated press]

Q What do you think about the AHA Center as a coordinating body for disaster relief in the region?

A The AHA Center is now officially operating in Indonesia. The ASEAN heads of state agreed that the AHA Center could operate in Indonesia in 2011.

The AHA Center was founded for the purpose of facilitating cooperation and coordination between ASEAN members and the United Nations and other international organizations in order to promote regional collaboration in disaster management.

The AHA Center offers many benefits for ASEAN nations, as it is envisaged to provide appropriate, timely and accurate information for disaster-hit ASEAN countries. In Indonesia, it can also strengthen the disaster management institutional framework in tandem with acting as a center for the development of disaster-related human, scientific and technological resources. Therefore, our hope is that with the AHA Center coming into operation, Indonesia will develop stronger capacity and capability in disaster management.

The functions of the AHA Center can be classified into five main areas: first, as an ASEAN disaster information center; second, as a center for mobilizing aid for ASEAN nations if required, including assets, equipment, material, funds and human resources; third, as a coordinating center for operations, including the facilitation of joint emergency responses; fourth, as a center for administrative coordination to facilitate processes for transit of personnel, equipment, materials and other needs related to the provision of aid; and fifth, as a center for coordination of knowledge and research about disasters in ASEAN and to facilitate technical cooperation and research related to disasters.

Q What lessons were learned from the ARF-DIREX held in March 2011? What is key for facilitating military and civilian cooperation in the face of disaster?

A Disaster management is a complex and multidimensional undertaking. It not only requires cooperation and coordination but also involves logistics, resources, mobilization, command and control, and the handling of the disasters themselves.

The lessons learned from this disaster exercise are about how to bring procedures into alignment and develop a common position when natural disaster strikes a nation. An added lesson concerns how to manage aid provided by other nations, to maintain a consistent progression in aid operations.

Accordingly, the benefits of the exercise were at the national level, testing or preparation of a disaster management system involving foreign assistance in Indonesia, while improving mechanisms for interagency coordination and cooperation under the control of the National Disaster Management Agency; at the regional level, strategic input and recommendations for ARF cooperation in disaster management in the region; and at the operational level, facilitation for harmonization of various national, regional and international protocols in disaster management.

Q Do you think partnerships are important for security in the region? And how so?

A As part of ASEAN, Indonesia stretches across a strategic and dynamic region within East Asia. To maintain its centrality within the region and raise its standing as an organization of importance on the global stage, ASEAN clearly needs to become more integrated and more involved with global economic, defense and security concerns by responding more proactively to changes in the increasingly interconnected international environment.

ASEAN must be able to build and maintain regional stability and security. The stability and security of the region can also be understood as the integration of ASEAN strength brought about by fostering the integration of politics, defense and security in the ASEAN region. Accordingly, the ASEAN Political Security Community can be used as a legitimate pillar to build a regional security and defense community (in the level and progression that is required) and cooperation in maritime security and various issues in regional defense and security.

To this end, ASEAN needs to build a more robust presence through deepening and widening. Deepening focuses more on internal improvements, such as the strengthening of dispute resolution mechanisms for greater effectiveness in comparison to the existing mechanisms in operation. Widening, on the other hand, refers in a general sense to ASEAN’s efforts to expand its membership, acquire a greater role for its organization and widen the scope of the issues it handles.

Q What role would you like to see ASEAN play in the future?

A Since it was founded, ASEAN has paved the way for the creation of peace and stability in the region, enabling member nations to pursue development and achieve prosperity.

Indonesia held the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2011. Previously, Indonesia had demonstrated leadership when appointed the chair of ASEAN in 2003. At that time, Indonesia convinced other ASEAN members of the steps that would need to be taken to lift cooperation to a higher level. ASEAN then adopted the Bali Concord II, envisioning an ASEAN Community set upon three pillars, namely political and security cooperation, economic cooperation, and socio-cultural cooperation, for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region.

As part of this association of nations in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has many important roles. One recent example was the grand event of the ASEAN Summit. The 18th ASEAN Summit, convened in Jakarta on May 7-8, 2011, received attention far and wide within the international community, well beyond Southeast Asia. ASEAN is now becoming a new axis for advanced nations, most importantly the United States and the European Union.

Q What are some of TNI’s greatest successes in recent years?

A In recent years and particularly since 2010, TNI has successfully carried out a range of duties and activities in areas such as strength building, use of force and cooperation with other countries in the region.

Under the strength-building program, the TNI headquarters have revamped their organization, and the TNI structure is moving toward fulfilling a minimum essential force [MEF].

Concerning use of force, in recent years, TNI freed the Sinar Kudus vessel from pirates operating in Somalian waters. The TNI engages in regular security cooperation along the land and maritime borders between Indonesia and neighboring countries, such as Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Philippines.

The TNI also cooperates with government ministries, statutory institutions and regional governments. Examples of this include housing construction in border areas, aid for disaster victims and rehabilitation of homes no longer fit for habitation, assistance in the 1 billion tree planting program, assistance in pollution control, assistance in revitalizing the family planning program, joint training with the National Disaster Management Agency, and efforts to boost development in the regions.

Similarly, the peacekeeping operations carried out by the peacekeeping missions unit (the Garuda Contingent) have won acclaim with appreciation expressed by troops from the U.N. and the host nations. The appreciation is partly in response to TNI’s considerable work in civic and social operations, including the construction of urban and rural roads and repairs to clean water utilities and other public infrastructure. Looking forward, we envision further improvements in these operations with the construction of a command and training facility for peacekeeping troops in Bogor.

In our international cooperation, we work with Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Australia, India, the United States and other friendly nations. Through these many different activities, TNI has succeeded in creating a conducive and stable security situation.

Q What about regional cooperation? What barriers stand in the way of better cooperation with neighboring nations?

A The military cooperation between TNI and the armed forces of other Southeast Asian nations will be strengthened further, given the effectiveness of this cooperation in curbing security threats in the region.

Of paramount importance, we have strengthened these close relations through regular joint exercises, such as Malindo, Indopura, Cobra Gold and so on. This is not only to maintain cordial relations but, more importantly, to bring them to a higher plane.

As a country “occupying” two-thirds of the Southeast Asia region, Indonesia has a critical interest in the management of regional security. Moreover, from a perspective of ideals, Indonesia has a greater stake compared with other Southeast Asian nations in structuring the peace and stability of Southeast Asia.

Intrastate conflict poses a latent threat to Indonesia’s existence as a nation state. Lingering interstate conflicts continue to hinder the development of amicable relations among ASEAN nations. On the other hand, the threat of terrorism that has wreaked havoc for the stability and security of Indonesia and the region is inextricably linked to the present, albeit temporary, agenda of powers from outside the region.

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2012 USPACOM Forces & Exercises Poster