Australia's military and diplomatic relationship with Indonesia is on tenterhooks again, though the whys and wherefores of this latest hiccup are less obvious than previous contretemps. Even Indonesian officials themselves appear confused about the extent or duration of the suspension of military cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Indonesian Military or TNI.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Wednesday, a TNI spokesman said "yes, we stopped it temporarily, but we have not cut the cooperation". The significance of the suspension – allegedly the outcome of a complaint made by an Indonesian Kopassus (or special forces) officer about "offensive" training material encountered while on secondment at SAS headquarters in Perth – was later played down by Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, who said he was convinced no offence was intended.
Minister Ryamizard noted, too, that an unnamed Australian lieutenant had been reprimanded over the material, suggesting the ADF had investigated the complaint, decided it was justified and taken steps to ensure it didn't happen again. Also caught offguard by the TNI's refusal to let the matter lie was Defence Minister Marise Payne, who seems to have been well aware of ADF attempts to resolve the matter. That included having the errant lieutenant's commanding officer apologise to General Gatot Nurmantyo, commander in chief of the TNI.
The TNI's decision to escalate the matter – despite obvious efforts to preserve its "honour" – suggest a desire for pay-back or square-up for previous slights. Alleged instances of Australian perfidy – whether related to independence struggles in East Timor and West Papua or spying activities directed at former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – have never been entirely forgiven, and certainly not forgotten, in Jakarta. Another possible explanation is that General Gatot, not particularly well disposed towards Australia, saw an opportunity to remind a bumptious neighbour that Indonesia can't be taken for granted.
That sentiment will probably be applauded in certain circles of Jakarta society – for while Australian tourists are noted for their easy-going manner in Europe they're frequently regarded as conceited and culturally insensitive in Asia. And not without due cause, either.
Doubtless, the ADF is aware of the requirement to not accentuate such perceptions, so the alleged insensitivity of the SAS course material is surprising. But it's also arguable the Kopassus officer's objection to material relating to war crimes in East Timor was an over-reaction. Indonesian security forces and the militias they supported killed at least 100,000 East Timorese during the country's 24-year occupation – a historical fact that should not be airbrushed to avoid giving offence to Indonesian army officers.
Minister Ryamizard was correct in saying no offence was intended; and perhaps none would have been taken if the matter had come to the government's immediate attention. The ability of the military to guide Indonesia's destiny has been greatly reduced under a succession of democratic governments. This episode, however suggests an even tighter leash may be in order.
