Looking for the Dandim Root Case

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Col. Hendi Supendi (center, foreground) smiles during his dismissal on Saturday afternoon (12/10/2019) as the Southeast Sulawesi 1417 Kendari military district commander and sentencing to 14 days in detention. Hendi was handed the sanction after his wife, Irma Zulkifli Nasution, uploaded a social media post commenting on the stabbing attack on Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto two days earlier.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa took firm action by removing the Kendari Military District (Dandim) Commander Col. Hendi Suhendi following a tweet by Hendi\'s wife.

Andika\'s strict action received appreciation from a number of circles. Aside from being removed as the military district commander, Hendi was detained for 14 days. He was considered to have violated Law No. 25/2014 regarding military disciplinary. Hendi was considered responsible for his wife\'s statement on social media. Through her social media account, Hendi\'s wife wrote something that could be considered beyond the limit of propriety when commenting on the stabbing of Coordinating Politics, Law and Security Minister Wiranto, who was also a former ABRI (Armed Forces) commander.

On social media, speculation has roamed widely. There is a theory that members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and their families are exposed to radical teachings. The theory suggests that the TNI leadership carries out more serious coaching for its members.

Whether the theory that a number of TNI members are exposed to radicalism is true or not, it is the duty of the TNI leadership to further investigate and repair problems. Gen. Andika\'s actions are the first step to convey the message about learning in social media, digital learning.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Col. Hendi Supendi (left, foreground) is dismissed as the Southeast Sulawesi 1417 Kendari military district commander on Saturday afternoon (12/10/2019). Hendi, who was replaced by Col. Alamsyah, was also sentenced to 14 days in detention. Hendi was handed the sanction after his wife, Irma Zulkifli Nasution, uploaded a social media post commenting on the stabbing attack on Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto two days earlier.

However, we want to encourage further searching to find the root of the problem. Is the warning of Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu in June true that about 3 percent of TNI members were exposed to radical teachings? (Kompas, 13 October 2019). If the signal is true, then what will the TNI leadership do to respond to this reality and why does it happen?

Back to the case of Hendi: He graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy in 1993. He served in the military district of Bengkalis in 2011. Hendi had even been assigned as a defense attaché and had attended staff and command schools. Achievements in his career, of course, were realized through strict and tiered selection. In 2019, Hendi was again assigned to be the military district commander in Kendari.

Deeper research becomes a necessity. Is it because they are exposed to radical teaching, TNI families get beyond the control of TNI doctrine? In today’s era of social media, the possibility of being exposed to the teachings that are not in accordance with Pancasila or TNI doctrine is very likely to occur. Websites that spread radical ideas are scattered about. Therefore, the guidance of the higher level command is important.

We encourage political elites and policy makers to further explore the event of Kendari military district commander. What was conveyed by the military district commander\'s wife should not actually be disclosed. It seems there needs to be a team that examines more deeply what happens with the TNI and National Police (Polri) and the state civil servants in the era of democracy. There needs to be a policy formulated so that all elements of the nation continue to feel that they are placed in the right, appropriate and fair proportions.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Col. Hendi Supendi (left, foreground) gestures during his dismissal as the Southeast Sulawesi 1417 Kendari military district commander on Saturday afternoon (12/10/2019), alongside his replacement, Col. Alamsyah (center). Hendi was sanctioned for the actions of his wife, Irma Zulkifli Nasution, who uploaded a social media post commenting on the stabbing attack on Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto two days earlier.

This is where the role of the leaders becomes important. The leaders need to get closer to their members to capture the inner situation of the subordinates and then formulate an appropriate policy.