M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhamad Isnur, has condemned the enactment of Law No. 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces or TNI Law, stating that it violates numerous constitutional principles.
He believes the law was passed to suppress public criticism.
"This law clearly breaches many fundamental state regulations. We see how public criticism is increasingly treated as an enemy and a threat," Isnur stated in a written statement on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
According to him, Indonesia is heading toward an authoritarian grip, with the enactment of the TNI Law signaling a return to the militaristic rule of the New Order era.
"Indonesia's future is becoming darker, trapped in the clutches of authoritarianism, slipping back into militarism and civilian subjugation," he said.
Isnur also expressed concern over the potential repercussions of this law on Indonesian society, particularly its impact on civil liberties and human rights.
"YLBHI fears this will lead to repression and forced evictions, affecting farmers, indigenous communities, and island residents across the archipelago who are defending their lands from investment-driven projects," he stated.
On the same day, House Speaker Puan Maharani officially ratified the TNI Bill during a plenary session.
"We have reached the moment to seek factional approval for the Bill amending Law No. 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces. Can it be approved and passed into law?" Puan said during the session on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin argued that the newly passed law reinforces the professionalism of TNI soldiers. He emphasized that this principle is central to the country's defense institution.
"TNI is the people's army, a warrior army, and a national army," Sjafrie stated during the plenary session at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday.
He further explained that advancements in global military technology and shifting geopolitical landscapes necessitate adjustments within the TNI. He asserted that the military must undergo transformation to strengthen Indonesia's geostrategic position.
According to Sjafrie, the law aims to equip Indonesia to counter both conventional and unconventional threats. As a sovereign nation, he added, Indonesia must develop a realistic defense strategy. "This is essential to withstand evolving challenges and safeguard the survival of the Republic of Indonesia," he concluded.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1988729/ylbhi-tni-law-brings-a-darker-indonesia-close