Indonesia’s defence minister backs suspension of some co-operation with ADF
An Indonesian Kopassus (Special Forces) trainer complained that materials at Perth’s Campbell Barracks were insulting to the Indonesian Military
Indonesia’s defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has backed his military chief’s decision to suspend language training co-operation with the Australian Defence Force over perceived national insults in the course and said he will visit Australia next month to check on an investigation into the claims. Military Commander Gatot Nurmantyo temporarily suspended the language course for Indonesian and Australian exchange officers in late December after an Indonesian Kopassus (Special Forces) trainer complained that materials at Perth’s Campbell Barracks were insulting to the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the nation’s ideology, known as Pancasila. But for several days last week the matter escalated into a serious bilateral issue after a private internal memo advising of the suspension was leaked to the media and a TNI spokesman wrongly confirmed the suspension applied to all defence co-operation, including official visits and joint operations. President Joko Widodo, Ryamizard and Indonesia’s co-ordinating minister for security, Wiranto, have all moved to play down the issue, insisting the suspension was limited and would not affect key exercises such as joint naval patrols, anti-people smuggling and counter-terrorism co-operation. General Ryamizard told local media he appreciated General Gatot’s firm actions “because a TNI chief is the spearhead of the nation’s defence. “When it comes to Pancasila, the TNI must defend it. When Pancasila is insulted then of course he is angry. “Any country would react (the same way) if they are insulted. As citizen, let alone as TNI chief, his reaction is a reflection of how much he loves the country.” Though there has been no explicit explanation, the Kopassus officer is believed to have taken greatest offence at a poster which was defaced so that Pancasila - Indonesia’s state ideology which emphasises monotheism, unity, democracy, social justice and humanitarianism - read Pancagila. Gila is the Indonesian word for crazy. There was also a reference in a written assignment to West Papuan independence - a very sensitive topic in Indonesia - and derogatory references to Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, the late military leader and father-in-law of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who oversaw the purge of at least half a million suspected communists in the 1960s.
Australia’s Defence Force chief, Mark Binskin, had already apologised over the perceived insults, promised to cut the offending material from the curriculum and launch an internal investigation when the suspension was announced. But General Gatot, an ultranationalist who has previously expressed concern that Australia might try to “recruit” exchange officers as agents of influence, is believed to have been unhappy at the pace of the probe. While General Ryamizard insisted in recent days there was “no problem” with bilateral relations, he said the issue could not be left unresolved. “What’s done is done. I encourage my subordinates to show respect and to my Australian counterpart not to let this happen again.
“I will go there (to Australia) next month and check on the progress (of the investigation).”