Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition has initiated an online petition to express their rejection of the return of military dual function in the revision of Law Number 34 Year 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces or TNI Law. Since it was launched two days ago, more than 12 thousand people have signed the petition to reject the TNI Bill.
The petition was uploaded through change.org with the title Reject the Return of Military Dual Function through the TNI Law Revision. Based on data as seen by Tempo on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 07.20, a total of 12,691 people have signed the petition to reject the TNI Bill.
The petition was initiated by hundreds of individuals and organizations who oppose the return of military dual function in the deliberation of the TNI Bill. The Civil Society Coalition stated in the petition release on Sunday, March 16, 2025, 'We assess that the agenda for the revision of the TNI Law does not have the urgency to transform the TNI into a more professional direction.'
The Civil Society Coalition is concerned that the draft TNI Law will weaken the professionalism of the military as the country's defense instrument. The coalition argues that the House of Representatives and the government should prioritize the reform agenda for the military judiciary.
The coalition believes that the revision of Law Number 31 Year 1997 concerning Military Judiciary is more important to be discussed than the TNI Bill. 'Because this agenda is a constitutional obligation of the state to uphold the principle of equality before the law for all citizens, without exception,' they stated.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government continue to proceed with the deliberation of the TNI Bill, despite public opposition. The House of Representatives does not rule out the possibility that the TNI Bill will be brought up and ratified during the plenary session on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad stated that they understand the emergence of public rejection towards the discussion of the TNI Bill. However, Dasco urged that this stance should be accompanied by careful consideration of the information circulating on social media.
"The rejection on social media does not match the substance and issues of the articles being discussed," Dasco said in a press conference at the Senayan Parliament Complex on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Dasco mentioned that there are only three articles accommodated in the TNI Bill revision process. These three articles are Article 3, Article 47, and Article 53.
According to Dasco, in terms of principles and objectives, the discussion of these three articles is carried out to strengthen TNI's internal capacity and to accommodate provisions in other institutional regulations. For example, the placement of active military personnel in several civil positions.
"If people could see the articles, they would have a better understanding, especially regarding the issue of dual function," said the Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Gerindra Party.