Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The discussion on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Law revision continues to attract attention from civil society groups and students. Demonstrations were held to express opposition to the draft TNI Law that was approved by the House of Representatives Defense and Security Commission.
Vice Chairperson of the House of Representatives Defense and Security Commission, Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono, stated that pros and cons in the law revision process are common.
"Demonstrations are a constitutional right of the people. We respect the right to democracy," said Dave at the Senayan Parliament Complex on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
He urged that any expression of aspirations be done in an orderly manner and following established rules, such as not engaging in acts of vandalism.
"So, demonstrations are a right. We respect them as long as they are not vandalistic," said the Golkar Party politician.
Yesterday, hundreds of students, lecturers, and activists in Yogyakarta staged a protest at the Balairung of Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The protest was a form of rejection against the revision of the TNI Law that seeks to reinstate the military's dual function.
Herlambang P. Wiratraman, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Law, who also spoke in front of hundreds of students and activists, stated that there is no urgency to discuss the revision of the TNI Law.
"Especially when the trial is held in secret in a luxury hotel, not in the people's house – the House of Representatives," said Herlambang.
Similarly, today students from Trisakti University will hold a demonstration at the Pancasila Gate of the House of Representatives. President of the Trisakti University Student Senate, Faiz Nabawi Mulya, said the protest aims to reject the revision of the TNI Law because it could revive the military's dual function.
"As part of the reform movement, Trisakti University students firmly declare that they refuse to accept any amendments made to the TNI Law," said Faiz.
Previously, eight factions agreed to bring the TNI Law revision to a plenary session for approval as a law. Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono stated that the TNI Law revision may be brought to the plenary session on Thursday, March 20, 2025, tomorrow.