Recently, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, made a significant move by distributing the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists. This action was in response to 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 were not the same as the one being reviewed in Commission I of the DPR RI. He highlighted that the revisions in the bill were primarily focused on strengthening legal frameworks to prevent potential violations, with a specific emphasis on three key articles.
The three articles under scrutiny include Article 3, Paragraph (2) concerning defense policy and strategy coordination, Article 53 related to the retirement age of TNI personnel, and Article 47 allowing active-duty TNI personnel to assume roles in certain ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin had previously presented a list of problem inventories (DIM) for the TNI Bill to the DPR, proposing changes to the existing TNI Law. Sjafrie assured that these revisions were solely directed at the three specified articles, ensuring the primacy of civilian authority in the TNI’s functions and activities.
The distribution of the draft to journalists was intended to clear up any misunderstandings and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco encouraged journalists to review the draft themselves to grasp the proposed revisions and address any concerns raised on social media. The primary objective remains to uphold civilian authority within the TNI, with the DPR fully committed to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
DPR UU TNI: Distribusi Rancangan Tanpa Kontroversi
