President Prabowo's Hand Wave and Thumbs Up Amid the TNI Bill Polemic

Public protests rejecting the ratification of the Draft Law on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (RUU TNI) are increasingly widespread, yet President Prabowo Subianto remains silent. Since the controversy surrounding the substance and deliberation process of the regulation emerged, the retired Army general has not expressed his views publicly. This stands in contrast to several other issues that have also captured public attention.

President Prabowo Subianto still refrains from commenting even after the TNI Bill was brought to the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) for approval to be enacted into law on Thursday morning, March 20, 2025.

When met after the inauguration of the Industropolis Batang Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Central Java on Thursday afternoon, he did not respond to media questions regarding the controversy surrounding the TNI Bill, which continues to draw criticism from the public. Instead of answering, the President simply waved his hand while smiling.

In fact, President Prabowo had even left the crowd of journalists. After walking about five meters, he turned around and returned to approach the journalists after Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya informed him that there was a question regarding the Indonesian national football team's match against Australia in the World Cup qualification game on Thursday afternoon.

"National Team, we pray for success," said Prabowo.

He also responded when someone asked him to predict the score that would be achieved in the match. "How could I predict that? God willing, God willing," he said.

After the questions about football were exhausted, inquiries regarding the controversy surrounding the TNI Bill resurfaced. However, as before, Prabowo chose not to respond. He hurriedly entered the presidential car to continue his series of official visits at the Batang Industropolis Special Economic Zone.

The President's silence when asked about the controversy surrounding the TNI Bill is not the first occurrence. Previously, after inaugurating the gold refining smelter of PT Freeport Indonesia at the Gresik Special Economic Zone, East Java, on Monday (17/3/2025), he also refused to answer similar questions. Instead of responding, the President gave a thumbs-up while expressing his thanks.

In fact, the day before the DPR plenary meeting was held, Deputy Speaker of the DPR from the Gerindra Party Faction Sufmi Dasco Ahmad together with the leaders of Commission I of the DPR had come to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/3/2025) afternoon. Chairman of Commission I of the DPR Utut Adianto did not deny that one of the things discussed was the TNI Bill. He also did not deny that President Prabowo had approved the bill.

"Well, everything is fine," said Utut.

While the President was in Batang, a plenary meeting of the DPR led by DPR Speaker Puan Maharani took place. The DPR and the government represented by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, and TNI Commander General (TNI) Agus Subiyanto, agreed that the TNI Bill be passed into law by the President. That way, a number of substances criticized by the public will no longer be discussed.

"We emphasize that the changes to the TNI Law are still based on the values and principles of democracy, civil supremacy, human rights, and comply with national and international laws that have been ratified," said Puan Maharani before asking for approval for the ratification of the TNI Bill.

Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, after the DPR approved the ratification of the TNI Bill, said that the revision of the TNI Law was aimed at strengthening the policy of modernizing domestic defense industry defense equipment to support the strength and capabilities of the TNI as the guardian of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

In addition, revisions to clarify the limitations and mechanisms of TNI involvement in non-military duties by first having to retire; improve soldier welfare and social security for soldier families; and adjust provisions related to career levels and retirement age.

TNI, Sjafrie emphasized, is a state apparatus tasked with defending, protecting and maintaining the unity of the Republic of Indonesia. The TNI Law stipulates that the TNI is built and developed professionally.

However, public protests have not stopped. Since the plenary session was held, a number of students have held demonstrations around the DPR building, Jakarta. In fact, they have not dispersed until Thursday night.

While the students were demonstrating, the President returned to the Presidential Palace after returning from Batang.

On President Prabowo's official Instagram account, a photo of himself and several members of the Red and White Cabinet was uploaded watching the Indonesian national soccer team match against Australia. After that, the President and the ministers held a closed meeting.

In fact, now the ball of ratification of the TNI Bill into law is in the President's hands. After being approved by the DPR through a plenary session, it is up to the President to give his political decision by signing the revised TNI Law.

If the President signs it, it means that the President agrees with the law politically. However, if he does not agree politically, the law will not be signed although it will still be in effect after 30 days of being approved in a plenary session.

In several previous policies, for example, the plan to increase the value added tax (VAT) rate and the ban on the sale of 3-kilogram LPG gas by retailers, the President often made different decisions from his staff when the policies met with public resistance. Now, public resistance related to the TNI Bill continues to flow. Will the President remain silent?