Who is he?
General Moeldoko was sworn in as Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in May 2013. Moeldoko previously held several leadership positions in the Indonesian army, including as an infantry division commander and deputy chief of staff of the army. He also served as deputy governor of the National Resilience Institute of Indonesia in Jakarta. A four-star general, Moeldoko developed a reputation as a strict leader among soldiers. Moeldoko graduated from Indonesia’s military academy in 1981 with honors.
General Moeldoko. Source: Wikimedia, used under a creative commons license.
Why is he in the news?
On July 23, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appointed Gen. Moeldoko to be the next TNI commander, the military’s top position, replacing outgoing Admiral Agus Suhartono beginning September 1. The House Defense Commission of the Indonesian House of Representatives unanimously approved Moeldoko’s nomination on August 21, after a vetting process cleared his record regarding human rights and corruption. Moeldoko led a delegation of top Indonesian officers and defense officials to visit a Boeing production plant in Arizona just days before Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel visited Indonesia on August 26, and announced a $500 million sale of eight Apache attack helicopters to the TNI.
What can we expect from him?
Moeldoko will have his work cut out for him, both in the domestic and international arenas. Domestically, he will advocate for an increase in budget allocation to the TNI and measures to better discipline Indonesian soldiers, as well as greater military transparency and openness toward the public.
Moeldoko’s push to further professionalize the military and improve the country’s defense capabilities will also have implications outside Indonesia. It will allow the TNI to play a greater role in professional cooperation and joint exercises with other militaries in the Indo-Pacific region. In the long run, a more professional and open TNI could encourage other militaries in Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, to embrace a more transparent and accountable posture.
More importantly, expect U.S.-Indonesia defense trade and cooperation to increase under his leadership.
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