Maintaining Civil Supremacy, Defense Minister Affirms President Prabowo Does Not Interfere in TNI Law
JAKARTA – Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin emphasized that the revision of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army (TNI) was drafted without intervention from President Prabowo Subianto.
According to him, the discussion of the regulation changes was entirely the initiative of the House of Representatives (DPR) and was carried out through a joint agreement with the government.
“Everything is the result of an agreement between the government and the House of Representatives, there was no request from the president,” said Sjafrie
Sjafrie also emphasized that the revision of the TNI Law still prioritizes civil supremacy and democracy.
He ensured that there were no regulations regarding the dual function of the military as occurred during the New Order era.
“There is none (dual function of the military), we no longer use the New Order. Now it is an order that wants to uphold the development of TNI strength that respects democracy and civil supremacy,” he emphasized.
The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, said that the revision of the TNI Law only focuses on three main substances, including adjusting the main tasks of the TNI in military operations other than war (OMSP).
According to her, the scope of the TNI’s main tasks has now increased from 14 to 16, including efforts to overcome cyber defense threats and protect and save citizens abroad.
“Therefore, together with the government, we emphasize that the amendment to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI remains based on the values and principles of democracy, civil supremacy, human rights, and meets national and international legal provisions,” said Puan.
The Chairman of the Gerindra Party Faction of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Budisatrio Djiwandono, also emphasized that the revision of the TNI Law does not conflict with the principles of democracy.
He considered the change to be a form of adaptation to the dynamics of modern defense without threatening civil supremacy.
“This revision is not a step backward in TNI reform, but a form of adaptation to the dynamics of modern defense. We ensure that civil supremacy is maintained, and there is no attempt to dominate the civil and political spheres with the military,” he said.
Budisatrio also regretted the circulation of disinformation related to the revision of the TNI Law, especially the issue of the return of the military’s dual function.
He emphasized that there was no attempt to restore the concept in this revision.
“The TNI will not enter into areas that are not related to national defense. This is purely to ensure that the country is ready to face modern defense threats,” he concluded. (*)
