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Indonesia army reforms 'failed' | Indonesia army reforms 'failed' |
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Indonesia's military business reforms are totally inadequate and have failed to dismantle the armed forces' business empire, Human Rights Watch says. | Indonesia's military business reforms are totally inadequate and have failed to dismantle the armed forces' business empire, Human Rights Watch says. |
US-based group alleges that many of the military's businesses have been implicated in human rights abuses - charges the Indonesian army denies. | US-based group alleges that many of the military's businesses have been implicated in human rights abuses - charges the Indonesian army denies. |
The military was stripped of its once significant political powers after Indonesia became a democracy. | The military was stripped of its once significant political powers after Indonesia became a democracy. |
It was also meant to cede management of its businesses by 2009. | It was also meant to cede management of its businesses by 2009. |
Indonesia's army used to be one of the most powerful in South East Asia. | Indonesia's army used to be one of the most powerful in South East Asia. |
Under the "dwifungsi" (dual function) concept of former Indonesian President Suharto's government, soldiers were not only entrusted with defending the state, but played an active role in politics and business. | Under the "dwifungsi" (dual function) concept of former Indonesian President Suharto's government, soldiers were not only entrusted with defending the state, but played an active role in politics and business. |
All of this changed when Indonesia became a democracy, and the army's influence in political spheres has been waning. | All of this changed when Indonesia became a democracy, and the army's influence in political spheres has been waning. |
Blurred boundaries | |
Under the terms of a 2004 law, it was also expected to divest management of its military businesses by 2009. | Under the terms of a 2004 law, it was also expected to divest management of its military businesses by 2009. |
The Human Rights Watch report says that has not happened, with the army still running businesses worth millions of dollars. | The Human Rights Watch report says that has not happened, with the army still running businesses worth millions of dollars. |
The rights watchdog goes on to say this hinders military accountability. | The rights watchdog goes on to say this hinders military accountability. |
It also alleges that many of the businesses owned by the army are corrupt and have committed human rights abuses. | It also alleges that many of the businesses owned by the army are corrupt and have committed human rights abuses. |
But the Indonesian military says this is not true. | But the Indonesian military says this is not true. |
Military spokesman Sagoeom Tamboen told the BBC that military reform was ongoing. | |
Most of the businesses owned by the armed forces are now under the management of a government agency that will decide what to do them by the end of this year, he said. | Most of the businesses owned by the armed forces are now under the management of a government agency that will decide what to do them by the end of this year, he said. |
However, independent analysts say it is not that simple, and that the reform laws are too vague to be of much use until the government comes up with a firm and detailed plan that will clearly outline how the military's old businesses will be managed and controlled. | However, independent analysts say it is not that simple, and that the reform laws are too vague to be of much use until the government comes up with a firm and detailed plan that will clearly outline how the military's old businesses will be managed and controlled. |