Residents Camp at the Gate of the MPR/DPR Building, Will Disperse if the TNI Law is Canceled

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Dozens of residents from various regions gathered in front of the Pancasila Gate of the Parliament Building, Jakarta, early Monday morning (7/4/2025). They set up tents, laid out rugs as mats, and prepared other equipment for camping. They are determined to continue protesting there until their demand for the cancellation of the revision of the TNI Law is granted.

As previously reported, the ratification of the Draft Law amending Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) into law was approved during the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives at the Nusantara II Building, Jakarta, Thursday (20/3/2025). Several crucial amendments were made, including provisions regulating Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), the placement of soldiers in civilian positions, and the service period of soldiers. The ratification was marked by protests rejecting the changes in various regions for several consecutive days.

As of Monday afternoon, the number of participants in the peaceful demonstration at the DPR continued to increase. Some of the newly arriving participants brought food, drinks, medicines, and equipment for recreational activities to pass the time.

Kompas monitoring, officers have approached the protesters three times to ask about their goals and demands. The first was a man in a police uniform, the second was a group of Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), and a representative of the police who are members of the Bhayangkara Community Security and Order (Bhabinkamtibmas).

As an example, a group from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) led by the Head of Satpol PP for Kampung Bali Subdistrict, Marjai, who happened to be on daily duty. He brought dozens of his members along with a vehicle to transport equipment.

Marjai met with representatives of the demonstrators and inquired about the purpose of their arrival, which led them to set up tents in front of the Parliament Building Gate. He also requested the crowd to disperse before the tents were removed by the Civil Service Police Unit.

A representative of the protestors rejected Marjai's request. He stated that their protest was peaceful, neither destructive nor riotous, and therefore did not harm any other parties. After listening to the explanation from the demonstrators, Marjai and his entourage left the location while urging the participants not to harm others.

There are too many issues in that law. Based on its content, the military can work in many areas, even in positions that are not within its field. Moreover, the drafting process was also riddled with problems. There was no transparency, and the public could not access the draft. In fact, there was even a raid on a meeting held in a luxury hotel.

Meanwhile, the Bhabinkamtibmas police initially greeted the demonstrators while asking the purpose of the demonstration. He also asked one of the demonstrators to help him take a video for the report that he had given an appeal to the demonstrators.

One of the representatives of the peaceful demonstration participants, Al (27), a private employee, said that this protest was carried out openly and the participants were joined by the general public. The call for action was amplified via the social media account X @barengwarga. Although there were many demands, the priority of rejection was aimed at the revision of the TNI Law which had just been passed by the DPR.

"There are too many problems in the law. From its contents, the TNI can work in many places, even positions that are not in accordance with their fields. In addition, the formulation process is also full of problems. There is no transparency, the public cannot access the draft. In fact, a meeting was raided at a luxury hotel," he said.

Previously, peaceful demonstrations by camping had been carried out in front of the Fairmont Hotel, where the DPR and the government held a closed meeting to discuss the revision of the TNI Law. However, at that time, after the action and camping, the participants immediately went home.

In rejecting the TNI Law this time, the protesters are determined not to go home. Al said that they will spend the night in tents until the TNI Law can be revoked. Each participant will take turns at the location when someone is unable to attend.

"For example, tomorrow I work. Well, it is replaced by other friends who are free. When I get home from work, I can come back again. So the concept is open and anyone is free to attend," he explained.

The camping action model was also taken because it was healthier for the participants' mentality. He also said that by camping, participants could avoid brutal actions from repressive officers. The action participants were also not easily infiltrated by certain groups because they were peaceful, without physical resistance.

On the other hand, as the afternoon progressed, participants continued to arrive, both physically and through logistical support such as food and drinks. Some groups even held activities at the location, such as a reading stall from MembacaMelawan.