TNI Bill Passed, Where is the Loophole for the Return of TNI's Dual Function?

What did the DPR emphasize when the TNI Bill was approved and passed into law?

Despite facing opposition from various groups, the DPR still approved the ratification of the revision of the TNI Law into law during the DPR Plenary Meeting at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday (20/3/2025).

The DPR Plenary Meeting with the agenda of approving the ratification of the revision of the TNI Law was led by DPR Speaker Puan Maharani. The meeting was also attended by a number of ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, namely Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo, and also attended by TNI Commander General TNI Agus Subiyanto.

There were no objections or interruptions from members of the House of Representatives (DPR) attending the DPR Plenary Meeting when the TNI Bill was proposed for approval to become law by Puan. This politician from PDI-P even asked for the approval three times from DPR members to ensure unanimous agreement on the ratification of the TNI Bill.

"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.

How did students respond after learning that the TNI Bill was still passed even though it was rejected by many groups?

Hundreds of students once again staged a protest in front of the MPR/DPR/DPD Building as the DPR approved the ratification of the Draft Law amending Law Number 34 of 2024 on the TNI into law, Thursday (20/3/2025). They expressed their disappointment with the government and the DPR for passing a law that is considered to restore the dual function of the TNI, reminiscent of the New Order era.

Since 1:00 PM WIB, waves of student masses have continued to arrive in front of the Pancasila Gate, the MPR/DPR/DPD Building, Senayan, Jakarta. These students, among others, come from Universitas Nasional, Universitas Trisakti, and IPB University.

They unfurled protest banners reading "Reject the TNI Bill, Uphold Civil Supremacy," "Trisakti Rejects the New Order Again," and placed them right at the Pancasila Gate.

The protest escalated after the crowd managed to break through the glass barrier of the security post. The crowd then threw stones and wood at the glass. Not only that, they also attempted to dismantle other glass protective barriers using ropes. Furthermore, the inscription "House of Representatives" on the side wall of the entrance gate was vandalized by the crowd.

Apart from Jakarta, where else are there demonstrations rejecting the TNI Bill?

Students who are part of the Jogja Calling Alliance held a demonstration at the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province in Yogyakarta City on Thursday (20/3/2025). They demanded the cancellation of the revision of the Military Law, which had been approved for ratification by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Hundreds of students from various campuses and organizations carried several banners and posters voicing their rejection of the revision of the TNI Law. The students also lowered the Red and White flag to half-mast in the DPRD courtyard as a symbol of mourning over the ratification of the TNI Bill. In turns, several student representatives delivered speeches in the courtyard of the building amidst police security.

The spokesman for the Jogja Memanggil Alliance who called himself Bung Koes said that the ratification of the TNI Bill by the DPR was a procedural flaw. This is because the TNI Bill was not included in the DPR's 2025 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) and the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

"This bill also does not involve meaningful public participation. This was proven when the civil society coalition went to Jakarta, they were not allowed to enter by the DPR to discuss the TNI Bill," he said.

Apart from demonstrations, how do students and citizens express their rejection of the TNI Bill?

Unlike other days, vehicles could not enter through the Pancasila Gate of the DPR/MPR/DPD Building, Jakarta, Thursday (3/20/2025). The entrance for vehicles to the area of the people's representatives' offices was blocked by three small tents set up by a group of residents since early morning, around 00.00. Until 09.30, the three tents were still standing upright.

Salsa (26) is one of the residents who helped set up the camp. She deliberately spent the night with dozens of friends she knew from social media X after being united by the hashtag, #TolakRUUTNI. The plan rolled spontaneously considering that that day the revision of the TNI Law would be ratified in the DPR Plenary Session.

It was not only students who took part in the action. A handful of housewives did not want to be left behind. That is what Hesti (36), a Banten resident, and several of her friends did. On that occasion, she donated logistics in the form of free drinks and food to the masses.

In fact, the TNI Law is so far from the world of Hesti and her friends. However, she felt it was important to take action because the state seemed to never get tired of adding problems to its citizens. She also demonstrated more than once or twice. Previously, she had also participated in the "Dark Indonesia" action.

How did President Prabowo respond to the widespread rejection of the TNI Bill?

When met after the inauguration of the Batang Industropolis Special Economic Zone (KEK), Central Java, Thursday afternoon, President Prabowo did not respond to questions from media crews about the TNI Bill polemic that is still drawing criticism from the public. Instead of answering, the President waved his hand while smiling.

In fact, President Prabowo had already left the crowd of journalists. After walking about five meters, he turned around and returned to the journalists after Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya told him that there were questions about the Indonesian national soccer team's match against Australia in the World Cup qualifiers 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 football questions were finished, questions about the TNI Bill polemic were raised again. However, just like before, Prabowo chose not to answer.

Is there still room for the return of the TNI's dual function?

Although the lawmakers emphasized that the revised TNI Law was drafted while still prioritizing civilian supremacy, changes in several articles are considered to weaken civilian control over the military. In fact, the TNI's dual function is lurking again because there are still articles that can be loopholes for the emergence of a dual role for the military.

A researcher from the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Diandra Mengko, believes that the most concerning changes are found in Article 7. According to her, the new regulation regarding the assignment of the military in Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) has the potential to undermine civilian authority and jurisdiction.

Previously, Article 7 Paragraph (3) of Law No. 34/2004 stipulated that the main tasks of the TNI, both military operations for war and other than war as mentioned in Paragraph (2), can be carried out based on state policies and political decisions.

However, in the revision of the TNI Law, OMSP is no longer implemented based on state political decisions. This form of civil supremacy is revoked and replaced with government regulations (PP) or presidential regulations (perpres) that can be drafted without the involvement of the DPR. In fact, the state's political policy in deploying troops for military operations shows civilians as the highest authority.

"One of the most obvious manifestations of civil supremacy is the country's political decisions. These decisions determine methods, resources, and time limits. The President as the holder of the highest civil decision is then authorized by the DPR, only after that is it implemented," said Diandra in Jakarta, Thursday.