Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, recently distributed the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists to address concerns regarding alleged deviations from the actual discussions within the DPR. The circulating drafts online differ from the one being discussed in Commission I of the DPR RI. The revisions focus on strengthening legal frameworks to prevent future violations, particularly in three specific articles.
The three articles under review include defense policy and strategy coordination, retirement age of TNI personnel, and allowing active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in certain ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin submitted the list of problem inventories (DIM) for the TNI Bill to the DPR, proposing amendments to the existing TNI Law. The revisions aim to ensure civilian supremacy in the TNI’s role and operations.
The distribution of the draft to journalists aims to clarify misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco encourages journalists to review the draft themselves to understand the revisions and dispel concerns raised on social media. The focus remains on upholding civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR committed to transparent discussions and legal improvements in defense-related policies.
