Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, recently shared the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill with journalists. This move was made in response to concerns circulating on social media, alleging that the bill strayed from actual discussions within the DPR. Dasco clarified that the drafts circulating online differed from the one under discussion in Commission I of the DPR RI. The focus of the bill revisions is on strengthening legal frameworks to prevent future violations, particularly in three specific 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 allowing active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in certain ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin had previously submitted the problem inventories (DIM) list for the TNI Bill to the DPR, proposing amendments to the existing TNI Law. Sjafrie assured that the revisions target only the three mentioned articles, ensuring civilian supremacy in the TNI’s role and operations.
The distribution of the draft to journalists aimed to address 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 focus remains on upholding civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR committed to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
