How politicisation of the military affected the Indonesian Military Operations during the Indonesian-Malaysian Konfrontasi, 1963-67

Abstract

This dissertation addressed the lack of interdisciplinary research and understanding about the Indonesian military operations during the IndonesiaMalaysia Konfrontasi, 1963-67. It examined how use of interdisciplinary research can address way that politicisation of the ABRI might have affected the implementation of the operations. This qualitative study emphasised two aspects, namely, process of politicisation of the military and political behaviour in organisations. Indeed, the existing literature of political behaviour in organisations remained predominantly focused on private organisations. But, this dissertation argued that study of political behaviour in organisations theory is beneficial to assist the scrutiny of political behaviour in military organisation. The research methodology consisted of archival research, interviews and secondary sources. To be more specific, the research adapted explaining outcome process tracing and time series analysis technique to develop valid interpretation. The study finds that political behaviour in the ABRI contributes to the failure of Dwikora Operation, as hypothesised. The policy of Konfrontasi has substantively boosted the politicisation of the ABRI. This can be seen in the diversity of key military actors’ motives toward the policy. In particular, the 30 September Movement Affair has significantly changed the behavioural repertoire. Based on these findings, political behaviour in the ABRI toward the Konfrontasi generated both dysfunctional and functional individual, organisational and national consequences. Although, the main focus of the research is the Indonesian military operation during the Konfrontasi, the implications for certain civil-military relation theory and recommendations for future research were discussed.