JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – A coalition of civil society organizations has called on the Indonesian government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to immediately halt the revision of Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

The coalitions consists of Imparsial, YLBHI, KontraS, PBHI Nasional, Amnesty International Indonesia, ELSAM, HRWG, WALHI, SETARA Institute, Centra Initiative, LBH Jakarta, LBH Pers, LBH Masyarakat, LBH Surabaya Pos Malang, ALDP, Public Virtue, ICJR, AJI Jakarta, PPMAN, BEM SI, Dejure.

The coalition warns that the proposed changes risk reviving the controversial “dual function” (Dwifungsi) of the military, which was abolished following the 1998 reform movement.

The revision, initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, has sparked widespread concern over its potential to undermine civilian supremacy and democratic principles.

The coalition has identified several problematic provisions in the draft revision, particularly the expansion of civilian positions that active TNI officers can occupy. The proposed changes to Article 47, Paragraph 2, would allow TNI personnel to hold positions in “other ministries/institutions requiring their expertise as per presidential policy.” This vague language could open the door for military personnel to infiltrate various civilian institutions, eroding the separation between military and civilian governance. Activists argue that this move contradicts the principles of reformasi (reform) and threatens the hard-won progress of Indonesia’s democratic transition.

The coalition emphasizes that placing TNI personnel in civilian roles not only undermines the professionalism of the military but also disrupts the career progression of civil servants. In 2023, Imparsial, a human rights organization, documented 2,569 active TNI personnel in civilian positions, with 29 officers holding roles outside the institutions specified by the TNI Law. This practice, the coalition argues, disregards the specialization, competence, and experience of civil servants, creating chaos in recruitment and career development within the civil service.

Another contentious proposal is the removal of the ban on business activities for TNI members. The coalition views this as a regressive step that undermines military professionalism. “The military is not built for business or politics,” stated a coalition representative. “Allowing TNI personnel to engage in business will distract them from their primary duty of defending the nation and lead to a decline in their professional integrity.” Instead of lifting the ban, the coalition urges the government to focus on improving the welfare of military personnel through state mechanisms, rather than shifting the burden onto individual soldiers.

The coalition also raised concerns about proposed changes to Article 65, Paragraph 2, which would subject TNI personnel to military courts for both military and civilian criminal offenses. This provision contradicts the spirit of the 1998 reforms, which mandated that military personnel accused of civilian crimes be tried in civilian courts. The coalition argues that military courts lack the transparency and accountability of civilian courts, increasing the risk of impunity for human rights violations and other crimes committed by military personnel.

The coalition urged the government and DPR to focus on strengthening oversight institutions such as the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan). Instead of expanding the roles of security actors, the coalition called for increased support for these institutions, which have faced significant budget cuts in recent years.

The coalition emphasized that the government and DPR should prioritize long-delayed reforms within the TNI, such as drafting a law on military assistance (Tugas Perbantuan), reforming the military justice system, and restructuring the territorial command (Koter). These measures, they argue, are essential for ensuring the military’s professionalism and adherence to democratic principles.

The civil society coalition’s call to halt the TNI Law revision reflects deep concerns over the potential erosion of civilian supremacy and democratic governance in Indonesia. By reviving the dual function of the military and expanding its role in civilian affairs, the proposed changes risk undoing decades of progress since the fall of the New Order regime. The coalition’s demands for transparency, accountability, and a focus on delayed reforms underscore the importance of safeguarding Indonesia’s democratic institutions and ensuring that the military remains a professional force dedicated to national defense. (Uki Ruknuddin)

**Contact Persons:**
For further inquiries or protections, please reach out to the following representatives from the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform:

1. **Dimas Bagus Arya** – KontraS (Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence)
2. **Hussein Ahmad** – Imparsial (Indonesian Human Rights Monitor)
3. **Ikhsan Yosarie** – SETARA Institute (Democracy and Peace Studies)
4. **Arif Maulana** – YLBHI (Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation)
5. **Teo Reffelsen** – WALHI (Indonesian Forum for the Environment)
6. **Gina Sabrina** – PBHI Nasional (Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association)
7. **Nurina Savitri** – Amnesty International Indonesia
8. **Sonya Andomo** – AJI Jakarta (Alliance of Independent Journalists)
9. **Anas Robbani** – BEM SI (Indonesian Student Executive Board Alliance)
10. **Latifah Anum Siregar** – Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua (Alliance for Democracy in Papua)
11. **Al Araf** – Centra Initiative (Human Rights and Justice Advocacy)
12. **Bhatara I Reza** – De Jure (Legal and Human Rights Advocacy)

These representatives are available to provide detailed insights, statements, and clarifications regarding the coalition’s stance on the proposed revisions to the TNI Law and related issues.

**Media Contact:**
For interview requests or additional information, please contact the coalition’s media team at:
– **Email:** [coalitionmedia@reformsecurity.id](mailto:coalitionmedia@reformsecurity.id)
– **Phone:** +62 21 1234 5678

 

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