Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, took the initiative to distribute the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists amidst concerns spreading on social media. The intention behind this action was to address the misinformation and speculations circulating online, asserting that the circulated drafts differ from the actual discussions within the DPR RI’s Commission I. The focal point of the bill revisions lies in strengthening the legal framework to prevent future violations, particularly focusing on three specific articles.
The Articles under review include Article 3, Paragraph (2) concerning defense policy and strategy coordination, Article 53 regarding the retirement age of TNI personnel, and Article 47 permitting active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in specific ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin had previously submitted a problem inventory list (DIM) for the TNI Bill to the DPR, proposing amendments to the existing TNI Law. He emphasized that the revisions are exclusively aimed at the three aforementioned articles, emphasizing the importance of civilian supremacy in the TNI’s roles and operations.
The distribution of the draft to journalists was intended to dispel misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco urged journalists to review the draft themselves to gain a comprehensive understanding of the revisions and to counter any unwarranted concerns propagated on social media. The primary objective remains anchored in upholding civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR wholeheartedly committed to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
