Polemic of Civilian Positions for Soldiers, Indonesian Army Follows Whatever State Decision

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Indonesian Army has requested that the plan to extend the retirement age of soldiers and the expansion of civilian positions that can be filled by soldiers through the revision of the TNI Law not be debated. Whatever the state's decision, the Indonesian Army will comply.

The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (KSAD), General Maruli Simanjuntak, stated that the Indonesian Army is awaiting the results of the ongoing discussions on the amendment of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the DPR. Regarding the placement of active-duty soldiers in ministries/agencies and the extension of the retirement age, Maruli said that the Indonesian Army will adhere to whatever policies are decided by the state.

Maruli emphasized that there are parties who are selective and only "attack" the TNI, especially the Indonesian Army, with various wild issues.

"This individual, when one institution entered all ministries, did not cause any commotion, you know. Is he working in that institution?" remarked Maruli to the media after visiting the Food Security Land at the Baturaja Training Center and attending the handover of land certificates by the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency, Nusron Wahid, to the Army Chief of Staff for the 42,000-hectare land managed by the Indonesian Army Training Center, Wednesday (12/3/2025).

Responding to the revision of the TNI Law currently being discussed by the DPR, including the plan to extend the retirement age of soldiers to 60 years, he stated that this is part of state policy that will be decided after discussions and considerations from various aspects, including the country's financial capacity and the organizational needs of the TNI.

"I think there is no need for debate. Let us see later how the country's policies will unfold. Regarding financial capabilities, we will discuss military positions and other matters. After we present them in the discussion, which will be held tomorrow," he added.

Furthermore, Maruli also conveyed information about TNI soldiers serving in ministries and other institutions. He requested that the status of active TNI soldiers holding positions in ministries or state institutions not be turned into a controversy. TNI will always comply with state decisions and adhere to applicable regulations.

"Please feel free to discuss whether soldiers should change their status or whether soldiers should retire. If the decision later turns out to be like that, we will comply. We (the Indonesian Army) will be 100 percent loyal to the decision," he said.

He stated that there are members of the Army who have potential. Therefore, it is necessary to consider mechanisms for them to hold positions in ministries/agencies. These mechanisms can be discussed, including whether there should be a registration process, a hearing, or a decision made by the President.

On Tuesday (11/3/2025), the government and the DPR agreed to revise the TNI Law. In the meeting, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin presented three proposals related to the revision of the TNI Law. These changes start from Article 3 regarding the position of the TNI, Article 47 regarding the placement of the TNI in ministries and institutions, and Article 53 regarding the retirement age limit.

Regarding Article 47, it is proposed to increase the placement of TNI in ministries and institutions from the original 10 to 15. This addition includes the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the National Disaster Management Agency, the National Counterterrorism Agency, the Maritime Security Agency, and the Attorney General's Office.

Outside of these 15 agencies, TNI soldiers must retire if they occupy civilian positions.

Regarding the retirement age in Article 53, it is proposed according to the level of soldiers, starting from non-commissioned officers and privates with a maximum age of 55 years, first and middle officers (58 years), and high-ranking officers or one-star Pati (60 years). Furthermore, the retirement age for two-star Pati is a maximum of 61 years and for three-star Pati is a maximum of 62 years. For four-star Pati, it is according to the president's policy. Especially for soldiers who occupy functional positions, they can carry out military service until a maximum age of 65 years.

Member of Commission I of the DPR from the Golkar Party Faction, Dave Laksono, said in a meeting between Commission I and the government that the DPR is of the view that the revision of the TNI Law should not interfere with the professionalism of the TNI in carrying out its duties.

According to him, the revision of the TNI Law refers to a new paradigm regarding the role of the TNI, so that the TNI is expected to become a professional and adaptive national defense tool.

Dave also explained about the clause on increasing the service age, namely up to 58 years for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, and up to 60 years for officers, and allowing an extension of up to 65 years for soldiers, with functional positions.

Meanwhile, regarding the polemic regarding the promotion of Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Inf Teddy Indra Wijaya to one higher rank, Maruli emphasized that this was entirely the authority of the TNI Commander and himself as KSAD.

"That is the authority of the TNI Commander and me. There is someone who is considered capable of assisting the President and coordinating his duties well, then given a promotion. What's the problem?" said Maruli.

"There are people who have been in Papua, their friends who really fought and complained that their ranks did not increase. I want to know who the person is. Is it true that he (the person) really fought, or has he ever been to war? So that is our authority (TNI Commander and Army Chief of Staff). Don't continue to intervene. We work professionally, if it has been decided, we will follow (implement the decision)," he continued.