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Opinion | Tensions among Indonesia’s security forces simmer beneath surface after Jakarta’s election riots
- The clashes in May highlighted a power struggle in the armed forces as well as a deep rivalry between the military and police
- For President Joko Widodo, the delicate task is to curb the infighting before it becomes a crisis for his government
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Indonesia’s riots over the disputed presidential election this year were the worst since the 1998 unrest that toppled long-time strongman Suharto. Though the polls triggered the violence, there were also more deep-seated reasons for the two days of chaos.
Behind the scenes a power struggle was taking place among retired army generals backing the different presidential candidates – a battle with clear echoes of the ideological factionalism seen in the final years of Suharto’s rule.
Muslim-oriented officers were butting heads with those from nationalist and secular quarters as well as religious minorities including Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists.
Most of the former supported losing candidate Prabowo Subianto and the latter incumbent President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.
But the riots also brought to the fore increasing tension between the military and police – a rivalry which has long plagued Indonesia’s security sector. Widodo has allied himself more with the police force, affording it greater access to the levers of power.
BALANCING ACT
Many of the divisions today remain from the days of Suharto, who was very skilful in creating factionalism and maintaining the balance between groups.
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