Rejecting Secret Discussion of TNI Bill, Civil Society Coalition Protests in the Middle of Working Committee Meeting

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The atmosphere of the discussion on the revision of the TNI Law by the government working committee and Commission I of the DPR at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, on Saturday afternoon (15/3/2025), became tense. This occurred when three representatives from the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform barged into the meeting room and demanded that the discussion on the law revision be stopped.

"We, from the Security Sector Reform Coalition, observers in the field of defense, demand an end to this because (the meeting discussing the revision of the TNI Law) is being conducted secretly and behind closed doors!" shouted Andrie Yunus from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) during a protest in the midst of the meeting on Saturday (15/3/2025).

Kontras is one of the civil society organizations within the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform. Before participating in the discussion on the revision of the Military Law, the coalition had already requested that the discussion at Fairmont be halted. The reason being that the discussion was conducted secretly, behind closed doors, and held in a luxury hotel amidst the government's efficiency policies.

In addition to delivering speeches, they also carried posters with the writings: "The DPR and the Government Discuss the TNI Bill at Luxury Hotels and on Weekends. Hello Efficiency?", "How About Switching Roles? TNI Becomes Civil Servants, Civilians Take Up Arms!", and "Seems Like There's Not Enough Work, Taking Double Jobs."

Their actions briefly heated up the atmosphere of the meeting discussing the revision of the TNI Law, which was attended by members of Commission I of the DPR and representatives from the Ministry of Defense. There was a brief scuffle between security personnel and protesters as they were being pushed out of the meeting room. One of the protesters fell during the incident.

"Honorable ladies and gentlemen, who claim to want respect, we reject the discussion inside, we reject the dual function of ABRI, stop the deliberation process of the TNI Bill!" shouted the protesters again.

They also briefly chanted slogans rejecting the revision of the law and called for the military to return to the barracks. After leaving the meeting room, they continued their speeches for a while. However, they soon left the hotel.

Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Utut Adianto said that the consignment meeting at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, Friday-Sunday (14-16/3/2025), was a follow-up after the working meeting with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto on Tuesday and Thursday. The working committee (panja) meeting discussed the substance of each article, both those proposed by the DPR and the government.

"If asked what the clusters are, there are three, namely the position of the Ministry of Defense and the TNI, then the new scope of the TNI being allowed to remain active, and finally the retirement age of soldiers," said the PDI Perjuangan politician.

Regarding the proposed change in the retirement age of soldiers, according to him, it is part of justice. So far, private soldiers and non-commissioned officers retire at the age of 53. In the revised TNI Law, the retirement age of soldiers is extended in stages.

"We will release it officially after everything has been ratified. As for now, I'm not allowed to do it yet. Because this is part of what has not been ratified. We have to ratify everything first, have a meeting with the minister, then we will announce it," added the PDI Perjuangan politician.

Regarding the retirement age discussion, the DPR also asked for an opinion from the Ministry of Finance whether it would burden the state finances or not. Apparently, there is still fiscal space for the need. "From the state finance side, it's okay. We have cross-checked with Deputy Minister of Finance Anggito Abimanyu who is present here, there is Secretary General Heru Pambudi who used to be the Director General of Customs and Excise," he added.

Based on data held by Commission I of the House of Representatives, the number of TNI soldiers reached 457,000. The largest number are private soldiers and non-commissioned officers, around 300,000 people. The number of first and middle officers is greater than the number of high-ranking officers. It is estimated that the number of high-ranking officers with the rank of general is below 1,000 people.

Regarding ministries/institutions whose positions can be filled by active soldiers, according to Utut, there are six additional institutions from the previous 10 ministries/institutions that can be filled by active TNI. The six additional institutions included in the revised TNI Law are the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), the Attorney General's Office, the Supreme Court, and the National Border Management Agency (BNPP).

Utut also explained that military operations other than war (OMSP) in the revised TNI Law will be regulated for 17 matters from the original 14 matters.

Referring to the DIM of the TNI Bill drafted by the government, the addition of the three tasks in question is to assist the government in efforts to overcome cyber threats, assist the government in protecting and saving Indonesian citizens and national interests abroad, and assist the government in overcoming the abuse of narcotics, precursors, and other addictive substances.

He admitted that ideally OMSP should be consulted with the DPR. The debate for the discussion of the article was fierce. Almost all factions took part, criticized, and all also took an active role.

"Ideally, it is very important to consult with the DPR. So, for the implementation of the law, there are usually government regulations. The role of the DPR will be more consultative," he stressed.

In the DIM of the TNI Bill, the government proposed changes to the legal basis for the implementation of OMSP. If in the current TNI Law, the implementation of OMSP is based on state policies and political decisions, in the DIM of the TNI Bill it is written that the implementation of OMSP is further regulated by government regulations (PP) or presidential regulations (perpres). The reason is to ensure clarity of the TNI's duties and functions in implementing OMSP.

Utut also appealed to the public not to worry too much. According to him, the revision of the TNI Law was made to adapt to the times. However, when it comes to partisanship, everyone must have their own concepts and interests. He hopes that fellow citizens will not badmouth each other.

After the working committee meeting (panja) at the Fairmont Hotel is finished, tonight, according to Utut, the results will be discussed again in the DPR Commission I meeting with government representatives. It is possible that in that meeting, level I approval will be taken directly before then requesting approval for ratification of the TNI Law revision in the DPR Plenary Meeting.

"If the minister is ready, this law is targeted by the Minister of Defense to be passed during this session. If he is ready, we (DPR) are also ready. It does not mean chasing a target, what is important is that it has been discussed as well as possible," he explained.

Regarding the information that the revision of the TNI Law will be passed next week, Utut said that the DPR did not set a target. However, if it can be completed faster, it will definitely be passed quickly too.

"If it is finished today and I think we all agree that it is more than enough and good, why not? But we are waiting for the minister. Of the four ministers, at least one will be there," said Utut.

Regarding the civil society coalition's criticism of the meeting held in a luxury hotel, Utut said that legislative consignment meetings by the DPR and the government are usually held in hotels. He gave an example of the discussion of the Attorney General's Bill held at the Sheraton Hotel. Another example is the discussion of the revision of the Personal Data Protection Law held at the Intercontinental Hotel.