Maintaining Reform Mandate, TNI Ensures TNI Bill is Based on Professionalism and Neutrality

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Indonesian National Armed Forces or TNI respects and supports every legislative process aimed at strengthening the national defense institution, including the revision of the Law on TNI. TNI ensures that the revision of the TNI Law, which will later be discussed with the DPR, is based on the principles of professionalism and neutrality in accordance with the mandate of TNI reform.

The Head of the Information Center (Kapuspen) of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Major General Hariyanto, when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday (19/2/2025), emphasized that the TNI always respects and supports every legislative process aimed at strengthening the national defense institution. This includes the revision of the TNI Law which has been included in the Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) of the House of Representatives (DPR).

Regarding the substance of the revision of the TNI Law, Hariyanto continued, the TNI will follow and provide input according to the needs of the organization and the interests of national defense. Issues that have emerged include changes in retirement age and the placement of soldiers in civilian positions.

"The TNI will ensure that this remains in line with the main duties of the TNI, namely upholding the sovereignty of the state, maintaining the integrity of the territory, and protecting the entire nation and all the people of Indonesia," said Hariyanto.

The TNI, said Hariyanto, also ensures that the revision of the TNI Law remains based on the principles of professionalism and neutrality, in accordance with the mandate of TNI reform. "We will continue to coordinate with all relevant parties to ensure that the proposed changes truly bring benefits to national defense and the TNI institution as a whole," said Hariyanto.

Previously, the government and the House of Representatives continued the discussion of the TNI Bill despite opposition from students. The TNI Bill has faced resistance from students in various regions a few days ago due to concerns that it would increase the number of active TNI soldiers filling civilian positions, potentially creating repression and hindering democratic life.

The Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Dave Laksono, when contacted in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/2/2025), said that such concerns are overly exaggerated. He believes and dares to guarantee that in the current era of democracy, repression and obstruction of democracy are impossible, let alone the revival of the Dual Function of the Armed Forces.

"I can assure and guarantee that this is impossible to happen in an era of open democracy, where the media can spread news quickly and the public is always critical of the government," said Dave.

Dave emphasized that so far, Commission I of the DPR has not scheduled a discussion of the TNI Bill after being given the task by the DPR leadership at the Plenary Meeting, Tuesday (2/18/2025). Given that this week only has a few working days left, it is likely that the discussion can only begin next week.

He also did not deny that the discussion of the TNI Bill would be fast if there were only a few articles to be discussed. "We will schedule it soon to start the discussion. It should not be too long if there are only a few articles to be discussed," said Dave.