Demonstration Rejects Ratification of TNI Bill, 5,021 Joint Personnel Deployed

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The ratification of the revision of the Military Law Number 34 of 2004 during the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday (20/3/2025) faced strong opposition from the public. A total of 5,021 joint personnel were deployed to secure the protest in front of the DPR Building.

The Head of the Central Jakarta Metro Police, Commissioner Susatyo Purnomo Condro, stated that police officers were stationed at several points around the DPR RI Building to secure the demonstration. The joint personnel involved in the security efforts came from Polda Metro Jaya, the Central Jakarta Metro Police, the TNI, the DKI Regional Government, and other related agencies.

"5,021 personnel securing the protest against the TNI Bill are confirmed not to carry firearms and will continue to respect the demonstrators in expressing their opinions. This security measure is implemented to prevent the protesters from entering the DPR RI building," said Susatyo on Thursday.

Susatyo reminded all personnel involved in security measures to always act persuasively, avoid provoking or being provoked, prioritize negotiation, provide humane services, and ensure security and safety.

He also appealed to field coordinators (korlap) and orators to deliver their speeches politely and not to provoke the masses.

Meanwhile, traffic flow management in front of the DPR RI Building is situational. Traffic engineering will be implemented based on the evolving dynamics of the situation on the ground.

Since Wednesday (19/3/2025) until Thursday (20/3/2025), several members of the public and students have staged protests rejecting the revision of the Military Law in front of the House of Representatives office. Some even stayed overnight by setting up tents.

Not only that, the hashtag #TolakRUUTNI also filled various social media and became a trending topic, and 29,554 residents signed the online petition.

A member of the Indonesian Women's Alliance, Fifa, stated that the TNI Bill lacks the urgency to transform the TNI into a professional entity. This is because, once the bill is passed, it has the potential to expand the role of the TNI in political and civil life.

According to Fifa, the involvement of the military in civilian affairs can foster collective trauma among women. This is reflected in the suppression of the Indonesian Women's Movement organization by the military. Additionally, the death of female labor activist Marsinah also involved the military.

"There are other regulations that need to be discussed immediately, such as the draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers, which has not yet been passed," he said.

Rejection of the TNI Bill also came from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI). This organization views the proposed revision of the TNI Law as contradictory to the TNI reform agenda which should support the TNI to become a professional army, namely as a national defense tool as mandated by the constitution and democracy.

YLBHI Advocacy Division Deputy Chair Arif Maulana said that the DPR and the president through their proposed revisions would actually pull the TNI back into socio-political, even economic-business roles which during the New Order era were proven to be inconsistent with the basic principles of the rule of law and civil supremacy and damaged the foundations of democratic life.

"In addition, the revision of the TNI Law will actually threaten the independence of the judiciary and strengthen the impunity or legal immunity of TNI members," said Arif.

If this is allowed to continue, Arif is worried that the future of democracy will be bleak and has the potential to increase the escalation of serious human rights violations in the future.

Despite much rejection, the Indonesian House of Representatives officially ratified the revision of the TNI Bill Number 34 of 2004 in a plenary meeting of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Thursday (20/3/2025).

The 15th Plenary Meeting of Session II 2024-2025 was attended by 239 council members. The meeting was led by the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani who was accompanied by Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives such as Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Saan Mustopa, and Adies Kadir.

"Now is the time for us to ask for the approval of the factions and members, whether the TNI Bill can be approved as a law?" asked Puan Maharani in the meeting, which was also broadcast on YouTube.

"Agreed!" replied the hundreds of council members present.

Puan said that this bill is guaranteed to remain based on democratic principles and fulfill applicable legal provisions. He also emphasized that changes were only made to three articles.

The three articles are Article 7 concerning the addition of the main duties of the TNI in Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), Article 47 concerning the placement of active soldiers in civilian positions, and Article 53 concerning the retirement age of soldiers.

In Article 7 of the TNI Bill, two new TNI tasks are listed in military operations other than war, from the previous 14 to 16 tasks.

The two additional tasks are to assist in efforts to combat cyber threats and to assist in protecting and saving citizens and national interests abroad.

Furthermore, in Article 47 there is an addition of civilian positions in ministries/institutions that can be filled by active TNI soldiers from the original 10 ministries/institutions to 14 ministries/institutions.

Previously, active soldiers could hold positions in offices that were in charge of coordinating the fields of State Politics and Security, State Defense, Presidential Military Secretary, State Intelligence, State Cryptography, National Resilience Institute, National Defense Council, National Search and Rescue (SAR), National Narcotics, and the Supreme Court.

In the TNI Bill, it was changed to soldiers being able to hold positions in ministries/institutions that are in charge of coordinating the political and security fields of the country, national defense including the national defense council, the state secretariat which handles presidential secretariat affairs and the presidential military secretariat, as well as state intelligence.

In addition, soldiers can also hold positions in ministries/institutions that handle cyber and/or state codes, national resilience institutions, search and rescue, national narcotics, border management, disaster management, counter-terrorism, maritime security, the Indonesian Attorney General's Office, and the Supreme Court.

Outside of the positions that can be filled by active soldiers, soldiers can also occupy other civilian positions. However, they must resign or retire from active military service.

Then, Article 53 of the TNI Bill changes the retirement age limit for soldiers. This provision is regulated in paragraph (2) with a retirement age limit that varies based on rank and position.

The two additional tasks are to assist in efforts to combat cyber threats and to assist in protecting and saving citizens and national interests abroad.

Non-commissioned officers and privates have a maximum term of office of 55 years; Officers up to the rank of colonel a maximum of 58 years; 1-star high-ranking officers a maximum of 60 years; 2-star high-ranking officers a maximum of 61 years; and 3-star high-ranking officers a maximum of 62 years.

Specifically for 4-star high-ranking officers, the maximum retirement age limit is 63 years and can be extended a maximum of 2 times or 2 years according to the needs stipulated by Presidential Decree.

"The amendment to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army, remains based on the values and principles of democracy, civil supremacy, human rights, and meets the provisions of national and international law that have been ratified," said Puan.