Recent distribution of the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill by Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, aimed to address concerns circulating online. The circulated drafts were claimed to deviate from the actual discussions within the DPR, but Dasco clarified that the ongoing discussions in Commission I focus on strengthening legal frameworks to prevent future violations in three key articles.
The three articles under review include defense policy and strategy coordination, retirement age of TNI personnel, and the allowance for active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in certain ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin submitted a list of proposed amendments to the existing TNI Law to the DPR, emphasizing that the revisions target specific articles to uphold civilian supremacy within the TNI’s role.
The distribution of the draft to journalists was to dispel misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco encouraged journalists to review the draft to understand the revisions and clarify any concerns raised on social media. The focus remains on transparent discussions and legal improvements in defense-related policies to uphold civilian supremacy within the TNI.
