Empowerment Means Prosperity for Veterans
Indonesia has had a veteran welfare regulation since the early days of independence. In line with this, the government must strive to continuously empower veterans and improve their welfare.
Indonesia has had a veteran welfare regulation since the early days of independence. In line with this, the government must strive to continuously empower veterans and improve their welfare.
Defense Ministry data in 2019 shows that Indonesia has 139,500 veterans, defined as Indonesian citizens who have received the distinction for their roles in wars or for dying in efforts to thwart national threats or as members of the United Nations’ international peace missions.
Veteran populations in Indonesia are concentrated in several provinces. Data from the Indonesian Veterans Legion (LVRI) shows that most of these veterans reside in West Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Jakarta, Aceh, Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara and Banten.
These provinces have more than 5,000 veterans. In total, these regions have more than 68,000 veterans or 75 percent of the total veteran population nationwide.
The government must strive to continuously empower veterans and improve their welfare.
Among these provinces, West Java has the most veterans at 19.1 percent. Afterward, there are East Java (12.2 percent), South and West Sulawesi (10.3 percent), Jakarta (7.4 percent) and Aceh (7.1 percent).
Other than by their distribution, veterans in Indonesia can also be differentiated by their types. Regulations cite that there are five types of Indonesian veterans, namely freedom fighters, Seroja operation veterans, Dwikora operation veterans, Trikora operation veterans and peace-defending veterans.
Veteran freedom fighters make up the highest number of veterans in Indonesia, at 67,053. Meanwhile, there are also 31,162 Seroja veterans in Indonesia. When combined, these two types of veterans total 99,215, or 71 percent of the total veteran population nationwide. Furthermore, there are 10,784 Dwikora veterans, 11,216 Trikora veterans and 18,171 peace-defending veterans.
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It is important to observe the types and demographic spread of veterans in Indonesia. First, each veteran has different rights, depending on belonging which category they belong to. Moreover, most veteran welfare programs in Indonesia are run by the central government.
Only several policies, such as land and building tax (PBB) exemption, are managed by regional governments. With different regions having different living costs, a uniform welfare policy unadjusted to local conditions will surely lead to problems.
Welfare insurance
The first law to stipulate veterans’ welfare is Law No. 75/1957 on veteran freedom fighters. Issued during Soekarno’s presidency, the law stipulates the definition, duties and rights of veterans in Indonesia. Furthermore, the regulation also gives the Veteran Affairs Minister the authority to insure veterans’ welfare.
The law guarantees several basic rights for Indonesian veterans, including a pension, living allowance, health care and allowance for family members, including widows and children. These rights have been either maintained or expanded in the six decades since through amendments and derivative regulations.
The Veteran Law has been revised at least three times, the latest of which was carried out during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s presidency in 2012. The revision, approved as Law No. 15/2012, included a redefinition of veterans and gave them additional rights.
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The law cites that veterans have basic rights, including veteran allowance, honorary payment, funeral at heroes’ cemeteries, land and building tax reduction, state-owned transportation service fee reduction, children’s education fee reduction, health insurance, MSME assistance, legal assistance and bereavement money for the next of kin of those killed on duty.
Other than basic rights, Indonesian veterans also have additional rights, including disability compensation, allowance and equipment for those injured on duty. Furthermore, the families of deceased veterans also enjoy monthly allowance from the government.
Amount of allowance
Currently, the implementation of Law No. 15/2012 is regulated under Government Regulation (PP) No. 31/2018, which cited monthly allowance of between Rp 1.5 million (US$104.73) and Rp 2 million for Indonesian veterans.
Veteran freedom fighters enjoy the highest amount of allowance among veterans. Allowances are also given to the widows, widowers and orphans of veteran freedom fights and independence defenders. Moreover, veterans in all categories are eligible for a monthly honorary payment of Rp 938,000.
More specifically, disability assistance and allowance are stipulated in Government Regulation No. 25/2014. In line with the regulation, veterans’ disability allowance depends on the veteran’s rank and the degree of disability the veteran suffers from.
Rank-C veterans with type-III disability – the worst disability category – are eligible for 18 times their last income. Meanwhile, they are also eligible for a disability allowance 100 percent of their last salary.
Veterans are only eligible for a one-time disability compensation, while disability allowance is given monthly alongside honorary payment and veteran allowance.
Despite having provided veterans with allowances, the government must continue improving its efforts in fulfilling veterans’ welfare. Kompas poll on 19-22 May 22 showed that the public was urging the government to improve veteran allowances. More than half of respondents, or 62 percent, said that veteran allowance remained lacking.
Among the indicators used as points of consideration as comparison in measuring the adequacy of veterans’ allowance is workers’ minimum wage.
Article 88 of Law No. 13/2003 on manpower cites that income is provided to ensure decent livelihood. Remuneration is calculated with considerations of inflation rate and economic growth at the time when the amount is decided.
Veterans living in Jakarta are a good example. Currently, Jakarta’s minimum wage for 2020 is Rp 4.2 million, higher than Rp 3.6 million in 2018. Meanwhile, veteran allowances still refers to Government Regulation No. 31/2018.
Several regencies and cities in West Java with sizable populations of veterans also have veteran allowances lower than the local minimum wage.
Minimum wage is Rp 4.59 million in Karawang regency, Rp 4.58 million in Bekasi city, Rp 4.49 million in Bekasi regency, Rp 4.2 million in Depok city and Rp 4.16 million in Bogor city.
Other countries
Efforts to improve veterans’ welfare are ongoing not only in Indonesia but also in other countries, which may define veterans differently than Indonesia.
In Indonesia, veterans are recognized as freedom fighters, independence defenders or members of international peace missions. Unsurprisingly, a majority of Indonesian veterans are of old age.
In several other countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, veterans are defined broadly as former military personnel. Different countries have different stipulations, but generally there is minimum service years of between 16 months and six years for a person to be called a veteran. Upon retiring from military service, veterans are prepared for reintegration into society and becoming productive individuals.
Therefore, veteran programs in these countries are not merely focused on providing monthly allowances. Other than allowances, these four countries have programs to ensure that veterans can enroll in higher education and obtain a bachelor’s degree, as well as enjoy access to business loans and trainings.
Furthermore, these four countries are highly aware of veterans’ psychological burden. Various issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, are considered serious for veterans.
Only 0.03 percent of the total population nationwide are veterans.
Observing various welfare programs for veterans in other countries, healthcare insurance for veterans must not only focus on physical issues but must also include psychological counseling. Efforts to improve veterans’ welfare must also include empowerment matters, including education and work preparation.
Indonesia has a small population of veterans, compared with the total population nationwide. Only 0.03 percent of the total population nationwide are veterans. However, even with such a small population, it does not mean that veterans must live with meagre welfare support.
Empowerment programs, including education and work preparation ones, are necessary for veterans. Therefore, veterans will have what it takes to stay empowered even after their military duty for the nation ends. Veterans can continue serving the country, such as in preparing the curriculum or serving as trainers in state defense programs in schools and universities.
Business loans and trainings may also help veterans and their families be independent in making ends meet. Business opportunities for veterans and their families may also create jobs for people around them. (KOMPAS R&D)