Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – Palace through State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi relayed President Prabowo Subianto's position on the public debate surrounding the TNI bill revisions. He emphasized that while democracy is encouraged, it should be exercised within reasonable limits.
"As I mentioned before, democracy is allowed, but it must stay within boundaries," said Prasetyo to the media when met at the office of the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, South Jakarta on Monday, March 17, 2025.
He emphasized that the essence of democracy lies in channeling constructive and nation-building aspirations. The discussions surrounding the TNI Bill, he added, should foster positive energy.
Prasetyo also noted that if the public wishes to express aspirations or provide input, it should be done responsibly, with clarity and accuracy.
"What is being polemicized is something that is indeed going to be done, do not polemicize something that does not exist. Please reduce such energies," he said.
He urged the public to move away from negativity and constant opposition.
"If everything is always seen as wrong or suspicious even before any work begins, it becomes a challenge," he remarked.
Nevertheless, he admitted to being open to all input. He considered some recent events as part of the dialectic of democracy and as a learning process for the country.
"But we also have an obligation to raise awareness for all of us, let's work together, whatever it is, this is all for our interests," said Prasetyo.
Furthermore, Prasetyo ensured that the discussion regarding the revision of the TNI Law conducted by the government would not lead to the revival of TNI's dual function.
He explained that substantively, the matters discussed in the meeting to discuss the revision of the TNI Law are to strengthen the position of the military as one of the state institutions.
Anyone, he said, is obliged to safeguard the body that plays a crucial role in the nation's sovereignty. This includes enhancing the TNI's capability in facing military and non-military threats.
"So please do not make statements as if there is a dichotomy, then also convey that there will be a return of the dual function of the military, not like that," he said.
Previously, the activist organization Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) interrupted the discussion meeting on the TNI Bill held by Commission I and the government at the Fairmont Hotel, Central Jakarta on Saturday.
In the act, Andrie and several representatives of the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform barged into the meeting room and expressed rejection of the revision of the TNI Law.
They also criticized the process of discussing the TNI Bill, which was conducted in a closed manner in the luxury hotel.
– Nandito Putra, Vedro Imanuel Girsang, and Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar contributed to the writing of this article.