Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, recently took the initiative to distribute the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists. This move came in response to concerns circulating on social media, claiming that the bill deviated from the actual discussions within the DPR. Dasco clarified that the drafts circulating online are different from the one being deliberated in Commission I of the DPR RI. He stressed that the revisions in the bill are specifically aimed at strengthening legal frameworks to prevent future violations, with a particular focus on three key articles.
The three articles under review include Article 3, Paragraph (2) regarding defense policy and strategy coordination, Article 53 concerning the retirement age of TNI personnel, and Article 47 which permits active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in certain ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin had previously submitted the list of problem inventories (DIM) for the TNI Bill to the DPR, proposing amendments to the existing TNI Law. Sjafrie reiterated that the revisions solely target the three aforementioned articles, ensuring the primacy of civilian oversight in the TNI’s functions and operations.
The distribution of the draft to journalists was intended to dispel misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco encouraged journalists to independently review the draft to grasp the revisions and address any concerns raised on social media. The main objective remains to uphold civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR steadfast in promoting transparent debates and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
