Why Must Active TNI Members Resign if They Enter Politics or Government?

1. What is the main doctrine applied during the ABRI reform?

The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia who is also the Chairman of the High Council of the Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, reminded that active TNI soldiers must step down when entering the world of politics or government. This is considered important to be reiterated because it is one of the main doctrines implemented during the ABRI reform.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the sidelines of his briefing to all Democratic Party cadres at his residence in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, Sunday (23/2/2025), initially told of his experience when he served as Chairman of the ABRI Reform. At that time, during the ABRI reform, it was taboo for active soldiers to enter the world of practical politics.

"That was one of the doctrines that we issued at the time of the ABRI reform, which I was the reform team, the head of the reform team, we implemented it. True, I was moved, inspired, if you are still an active general, for example, do not be involved in politics. If you want to be involved in politics, retire," Yudhoyono asserted.

2. Why has the presence of a number of TNI soldiers who now hold government positions drawn criticism?

The existence of a number of active TNI soldiers who now occupy positions in government has been criticized. Whatever the reason, the placement of active TNI soldiers in government positions still violates Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI. Active soldiers must resign when occupying positions in government, except for 10 positions that have been regulated by law.

Criticism of active TNI soldiers in government was first conveyed by the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, who is also the Chairman of the High Council of the Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Yudhoyono even recalled the moment when his eldest son, who is also the General Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, resigned from his military position to pursue a career in politics. The same thing, he continued, was also done by several active military officers when they changed course to enter the government.

A member of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, TB Hasanuddin, when contacted on Monday (24/2/2025), welcomed the affirmation conveyed by Yudhoyono. He also admitted to repeatedly reminding that there are only 10 positions in the government that can be filled by active officers without having to resign.

According to Hasanuddin, if the state indeed requires active TNI officers to join the government for various considerations, the TNI Law must first be amended. However, such amendments must include provisions to ensure that the TNI can still uphold the principles of professionalism and remain apolitical.

3. How does the public view the boundaries of the division of work areas between civil and non-civil institutions?

The public tends to see efforts for change that open up more opportunities for active TNI soldiers to occupy positions in civil institutions as needing to be studied more deeply. At least this attitude was captured from the results of a Kompas poll in mid-March 2024.

At that time, the poll responded to the discussion of the Draft Government Regulation on the Management of State Civil Apparatus (ASN) which is a derivative of Law Number 20 of 2023 concerning ASN. One of the issues in the discussion was the opening of opportunities for filling civil positions by the TNI-Polri who are still active.

Responding to this, the results of the survey captured the respondents' anxiety at that time. As many as 41.1 percent of respondents stated that they did not agree if civil positions were filled by active TNI-Polri. However, the same percentage also stated that they agreed. As for respondents who stated that they strongly agreed, 5.8 percent and strongly disagreed 9.1 percent (Kompas, 1/4/2024).

Notes from the results of the survey, the public believes that there should be a clear boundary or division of work areas between civil and non-civil institutions. One of the reasons stated by respondents is that the competence possessed by the TNI-Polri does not fully match the needs for state civil institutions (47.4 percent).

Returning to the efforts to revise the current TNI Law, in the end the public is again faced with concerns about the opportunity for the TNI to control civilian sectors as was once practiced in the New Order era.

4. What is the public demand regarding the placement of military personnel in civilian positions in the revision of the TNI Law?

The House of Representatives has opened up the possibility of discussing the revision of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI quickly, especially if the articles that are changed are not too many. However, the public is urging the House of Representatives not to give a blank check to the government regarding the placement of the military in civilian positions in the discussion of the revision of the TNI Law. Because, if the expansion of positions for the military through the revision of the TNI Law is realized, the Dual Function of ABRI like the New Order era is feared to be revived.

The government and the DPR continue to discuss the TNI Bill despite student opposition. The TNI Bill has drawn resistance from students in the regions because it is feared that it will increase the number of active TNI soldiers filling civilian positions, potentially creating repression and hindering democratic life.

5. How committed is the TNI to upholding the mandate of reform?

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) respects and supports every legislative process aimed at strengthening the country's defense institutions, including the revision of the TNI Law. TNI ensures that the revision of the TNI Law which will be discussed with the DPR is based on the principles of professionalism and neutrality in accordance with the mandate of TNI reform.

Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen) Major General Hariyanto, when contacted in Jakarta, Wednesday (2/19/2025), emphasized that the TNI always respects and supports every legislative process that aims to strengthen the country's defense institutions. This includes the revision of the TNI Law which has been included in the DPR's Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

Regarding the substance of the revision of the TNI Law, Hariyanto said, 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 to retirement periods and the placement of soldiers in civilian positions.

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