JAKARTA, Indonesia – Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu backed the importance of a “Defend the Nation” program on Friday, June 17, as he simultaneously said he does not perceive any looming “conventional warfare” against Indonesia.

He did say however, that there was a need to guard against “left-wing and right-wing ideology.” 

Speaking to foreign journalists, Ryacudu said that while there is no imminent threat to the country, the state defense voluntary program – which aims to provide military training for civilians starting kindergarten – will breed patriotism.  

He said the national defense program would “build nationalism” and “support the nation’s defense against threats” and will be “a tool to strengthen the national identity against left-wing and right-wing radical ideology, and other radical ideologies.”

Among these radical ideologies, Ryacudu, who is a hardline ex-general, mentioned communism and terrorism – specifically ISIS-inspired attacks.

Communism

The minister was quoted earlier this month saying that the estimated 500,000 who died in a government-backed attack on alleged communists “deserved to die.” 

The massacres began after General Suharto put down a coup blamed on communists in 1965, and over several months local militias backed by the military carried out one of the worst mass killings of the 20th century.

Suharto rose to power on the back of the bloodshed and during his 32-year rule it was presented as necessary to rid the country of communism, debating the killings publicly was taboo, and no one was ever held to account.

But on Friday, Ryacudu again warned against about the threat of communism returning.

“We don’t hate communists. But they staged several coups so we need to exercise vigilance,” he said. 

Aside from communists, Ryacudu was also previously quoted as having said the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) movement in Indonesia was more dangerous than nuclear warfare since it threatens to undermine the state’s sovereignty through a proxy war.

China threat?

The minister emphasized that the defense training program will not give civilians weapons, but said that 200 million people with military training will deter threats. 

There are about 250 million people total in Indonesia.

His statement is contradictory to a previous claim by the military’s spokesman who said civilians would be given semi-military weapons training – which raised concerns among experts and human rights activists. 

The minister also mentioned the need to be alert regarding maritime threats but said he did not think Indonesia was in any danger of war with China, adding “dialogue and transparency” were key to dealing with the superpower. 

His optimistic statement comes after recent rows between the two nations – particularly after Indonesia sought to detain a Chinese vessel which was allegedly fishing illegally near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands.

Beijing has claimed some areas around waters in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone north of the Natunas. 

When it was pointed out that China had began to build air strips in some disputed islands in the South China Sea however, Ryacudu conceded that it appears China could be preparing for war. 

But Ryacudu still maintained that he does not foresee any threats to Indonesia, adding he is close to both his American and Chinese counterparts.

– Rappler.com/with reports from Agence France-Presse