Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, recently distributed the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists to address concerns circulating on social media. Dasco clarified that the drafts circulating online differ from the one being discussed in Commission I of the DPR. The focus of the bill revisions centers on strengthening legal frameworks to prevent future violations, particularly in three specific articles.
The three articles under review include Article 3, Paragraph (2) on defense policy and strategy coordination, Article 53 on the retirement age of TNI personnel, and Article 47 allowing active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in certain ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin submitted the list of problem inventories for the TNI Bill to the DPR, outlining proposed amendments to the existing TNI Law. Sjafrie emphasized that the revisions only target the three aforementioned articles, ensuring civilian supremacy in the TNI’s role and operations.
The distribution of the draft to journalists was intended to clarify misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco urged journalists to review the draft themselves to understand the revisions and dispel any concerns raised on social media. The emphasis remains on upholding civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR committed to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
