The Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, recently distributed the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists. This move was aimed at addressing concerns circulating on social media regarding alleged deviations in the bill from the actual discussions within the DPR. Dasco clarified that the drafts circulating online are different 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) concerning 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 had previously submitted the list of problem inventories (DIM) for the TNI Bill to the DPR, outlining proposed amendments to the existing TNI Law. Sjafrie assured that the revisions only target the three mentioned articles, aiming to uphold 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 dismiss any concerns raised on social media. The main objective remains the preservation of civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR committed to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
