TNI Law Revision, Civil Service Expansion Discussed

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The government and the House of Representatives have agreed to revise Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). The discussion will focus on expanding civilian positions for TNI personnel, which were previously limited to 10 ministries or agencies, to 15 ministries/agencies. If active personnel hold positions beyond this scope, they must resign from the TNI.

Several ministry leaders, together with Commission I of the House of Representatives, agreed to form a working committee to discuss the revision of the Armed Forces Law during a working meeting at the Parliamentary Complex on Tuesday (11/3/2025). Present at the meeting were Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Minister of Law Agus Andi Agtas. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of State Secretariat.

The Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Utut Adianto, stated that the working committee from the House consists of 18 members. He requested the government to also form a working committee comprising four members from each ministry.

"If permitted, everyone appointed by the President is tasked with communicating. Immediately forming a government working committee team, of course through deliberation, and presenting the composition of the team to Commission I of the DPR," he stated, and this was agreed upon by the government.

In the meeting, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin presented three proposals regarding the revision of the Military Law. These changes include Article 3 concerning the position of the military, Article 47 regarding the placement of military personnel in ministries and institutions, and Article 53 concerning the retirement age limit.

The revision of Article 47 includes a proposal to increase the placement of military personnel in ministries and agencies from the original 10 to 15. This addition encompasses the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the National Disaster Management Agency, the National Counterterrorism Agency, and the Attorney General's Office.

Previously, under the current TNI Law, 10 ministries and institutions where military personnel can be assigned include the Coordinator for Political and Security Affairs, National Defense, Presidential Military Secretariat, State Intelligence, and State Cryptography. Additionally, the National Resilience Institute, National Defense Council, National Search and Rescue, and the Supreme Court.

Sjafrie stated that this placement was carried out according to the needs and requests of the ministries and institutions. However, there must be a selection for soldiers to see their capacity to occupy the civilian position.

"Soldiers who get positions outside the agencies included in the regulation must resign. After retiring, they will be proposed to the relevant ministries and institutions. Of course with measurable capacity and eligibility, and most importantly, they are loyal to the country," said Sjafrie.

Deputy Minister of State Secretary Bambang Eko Suhariyanto stated that this addition was made to include institutions that were formed after the TNI Law came into effect. He also denied that this was an attempt to expand civilian positions for TNI soldiers.

"Actually, there is no expansion of civil positions. It's just that there were changes that only happened after 2004. That year, Bakamla, BNPB, and others didn't exist. Now, when they are in Bakamla and then they are held by the TNI, now we are confirming them," said Bambang.

Member of Commission I from the PDI-P Faction TB Hasanuddin stated that the proposed changes to Article 47 were considered clear. The proposal emphasized that soldiers must resign from their membership as TNI if they serve outside the provisions of the article.

"The placement must also be carried out selectively and according to the request of the relevant ministry. So, I think it's clear," he said.

Hasanuddin also highlighted the changes to the active service period of the TNI that will be revised. He explained that the retirement age in Article 53 was 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).

Soldiers who get positions outside the agencies included in the regulation must resign. After retirement, it will be proposed to the relevant ministries and institutions.

Furthermore, the retirement age of a two-star Pati is a maximum of 61 years and a three-star is a maximum of 62 years. "For a four-star Pati, it is in accordance with the president's policy. Especially for soldiers who occupy functional positions, they can carry out military service until the age of 65 years," he said.

Hasanuddin also emphasized that no other articles were revised. In fact, he dismissed a number of issues related to changes to the TNI's ban on doing business and related to trials for military members who commit crimes.

"So, but it is prohibited to do business and soldiers are not allowed to do practical politics. That is still maintained in the TNI Law. That is more or less what is being discussed in principle," said Hasanuddin.

Met separately, at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, House Speaker Puan Maharani asked the public to participate in monitoring the discussion of the TNI Bill. Because, there are several crucial things that will be discussed in the TNI Bill.

"There, crucial matters related to the draft plan will be discussed and friends in Commission I will discuss the best in the continuation plan of the Law," said Puan.

Commission I of the House of Representatives previously heard input from experts and civil society regarding the TNI Bill. Puan ensured that the House of Representatives is open to receiving input regarding the discussion of this policy.

"The DPR accepts all input from elements of society in discussing the TNI Bill. For us, what will be decided later, God willing, is what is best for the nation and state," said Puan.

Puan also asked all parties to wait for further developments in the discussions at Commission I of the DPR with the government.

"Because that is where we can exchange ideas, discuss what will become input from the government and also input from the DPR to then be collaborated and get input in the implementation of the upcoming TNI Bill," said Puan.