Mitigating the Impact of the New TNI Law Mistake |
Rejection from various civil elements did not weaken the people's representatives' stance to ratify the TNI Bill (RUU) into Law, Thursday (20/3/2025). The ratification took place amid demonstrations by students and other civil society and various violent incidents involving TNI members recently.
From the start, the discussion of the bill has been controversial because the discussion took place secretly in a luxury hotel which actually tore apart the people's sense of justice amidst various economic pressures.
On the one hand, the government is carrying out reckless efficiency which has had various broad impacts on social and economic life which ironically is not effective and efficient. However, in the midst of this situation, the DPR and the government are discussing the TNI Bill, something that is not urgent, in a luxury hotel in Jakarta.
In fact, the DPR-RI building is very suitable for holding meetings. There is no urgency that requires holding it in a luxury hotel.
The discussion in the hotel secretly also raises people's suspicions as if something is being hidden.
The discussion should be carried out openly and in accordance with Law Number 13 of 2022 concerning the Formation of Legislation. The regulation mandates a number of stages that must be passed before discussing the law by providing space for public involvement.
The ratification by the DPR-RI was also no less controversial, starting with the security system involving soldiers with heavy military vehicles as if the country's situation was critical. Several students were reported to have experienced violence.
The rejection of the ratification of the bill into law occurred because it was contrary to the spirit of reform. There are a number of articles that provide opportunities for the TNI to enter civil service, something that was opposed for decades during the New Order.
TNI who are still active can hold public office from the previous 10 to 14 positions including the Prosecutor's Office and the Supreme Court. Perhaps, the article on increasing the retirement period is not too significant to reject.
Many parties consider this to be the return of the TNI's dual function. The General Chairperson of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, as reported in the media, strongly criticized the ratification. He assessed that the expansion of the military's role in civilian positions could threaten civil liberties and human rights.
This ratification is considered a step backward for Indonesian democracy and has the potential to restore the ABRI dual function practice that was once used by the New Order regime to perpetuate power.
Palangka Raya University academic, Hilyatul Asfia, assessed that the revision of this law violates the principles of democracy and the mandate of reform which aims to maintain the neutrality of the military in government. Other concerns came from Amnesty International Indonesia which assessed that this change could restore the ABRI dual function practice as in the past.
The ratification of the revised TNI Law has raised debate about the balance between security needs and democratic principles. It is important for the government and the DPR to ensure that the implementation of this law does not sacrifice the civil supremacy and human rights that have been fought for since the reformation.
Transparency and strict supervision are needed so that the TNI's role remains in accordance with the corridor of democracy and does not return to authoritarian past practices.[]
Photos when I was a speaker on writing for soldiers in the Korem 011/Lilawangsa area, Aceh, Indonesia.