M. Rizki Yusrial, Jakarta – Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, Head of the TNI Information Center, asserted that the recently ratified TNI Law revision involved public input, despite ongoing protests against the policy.
"We involve academics and representatives of the public in the planned revision of Law Number 34 of 2004," he said during a Zoom discussion on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Kristomei dismissed claims that the process was rushed, emphasizing that discussions on the law's revision had been ongoing since 2010.
"It can be seen that here the discussion of the TNI Bill began in 2010. Then it entered the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) for the period 2015 to 2019," he explained.
After failing to be passed, the bill was reintroduced in the 2020-2024 Prolegnas but remained at 127th place without further discussion. "This means that the planned TNI Law Number 34 of 2004 has gone through the necessary stages," he added.
Kristomei also emphasized that the revision adheres to civilian supremacy and democratic principles, having undergone thorough evaluation through the List of Inventory of Problems (DIM). "We assure you here that anyone can examine or review the contents of this revision. Please check which articles are under debate," he said.
Komnas HAM criticizes lack of transparency
However, Komnas HAM criticized the process, arguing that it lacked a comprehensive evaluation of the existing law.
"The absence of a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the current TNI Law has hindered the identification of urgent and relevant change needs," said Komnas HAM representative Haris at a press conference in Jakarta on March 19, 2025.
Haris also pointed out that civil society was only minimally involved, and the lack of transparency contradicted democratic and human rights-based legislative processes outlined in Article 96 of Law Number 12 of 2011.
"Without comprehensive evaluation and meaningful public participation, this change risks reinstating practices that contradict the principles of a government based on democracy and the rule of law," he stated.
Fast-tracked approval sparks concern
Although discussions on revising the TNI Law had been ongoing since the 2019-2024 DPR period, they never reached formal deliberation. In early 2025, the DPR re-listed the TNI Law in the Prolegnas Priority and formally announced its inclusion in a plenary session on February 18, 2025.
The government responded by sending a Presidential Letter (Surpres) to appoint representatives for the discussions. By early March, Commission I DPR held a public hearing, including input from the Association of Retired Armed Forces of Indonesia (ABRI) on March 10. Three days later, a meeting was held with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjafruddin.
The process continued rapidly, with DPR members meeting the TNI Commander and military chiefs on March 14-15. However, a closed-door meeting at the Fairmont Hotel triggered protests from the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform, who demanded more transparency.
Despite public protests and civil opposition, the DPR reached a Level I decision on March 18 and officially approved the bill in a plenary session on March 20.
– Hammam Izzuddin and Eka Yudha contributed to this article.