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 initiative aimed to address concerns circulating on social media regarding alleged deviations from the actual discussions within the DPR. Dasco clarified that the versions of the bill circulating online differ from the one under deliberation in Commission I of the DPR RI. The focus of the bill revisions revolves around fortifying legal frameworks to prevent future violations, particularly in specific articles like Article 3, Paragraph (2) concerning defense policy and strategy coordination, Article 53 regarding 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 a list of problem inventories (DIM) for the TNI Bill, containing proposed amendments to the existing TNI Law. Sjafrie reassured that the amendments are solely directed at the three aforementioned articles to uphold civilian supremacy in the TNI’s roles and operations.
Moreover, the distribution of the draft to journalists aimed to clarify any misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco encouraged journalists to review the draft personally to grasp the revisions and alleviate any concerns raised on social media. The primary objective remains focused on maintaining civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR’s dedication to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
