Speaking about the draft law on amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 on TNI, he emphasized that the placement of active military personnel outside the TNI institution must be in accordance with national needs and not interfere with the principle of TNI neutrality.
"The placement of active soldiers outside the TNI institution will be strictly regulated so it remains in line with national interests and does not cause overlapping authority," Hariyanto said in a press statement here Sunday.
According to him, the TNI bill aims to perfect the its main tasks to be more effective without overlapping with other institutions or in facing military and non-military threats.
For this reason, he said the bill is a strategic step to strengthen national defense and increase the professionalism of soldiers.
"The revision of the TNI Law is a strategic need so that the TNI's duties and roles are more structured and adaptive to the challenges of the times," he said.
The current TNI Law restricts active military personnel from holding civilian positions unless they retire or resign from service.
Meanwhile, the revision proposes increasing the number of civilian posts available to TNI personnel from 10 to 15, including roles in the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, the Attorney General’s Office as well as the Supreme Court.
Civil society organizations have criticized this change, warning that it blurs the distinction between military and civilian domains.
Related news: TNI's dual functions won't be like the New Order era: Minister
Proposed changes on the TNI law have also sparked concerns over a potential revival of the dual-function role of the military, reminiscent of the New Order era.
During a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) last Thursday (March 13), TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto emphasized that the revision of the TNI Law will uphold civil supremacy.
He promised that TNI is committed to maintaining a balance between the role of the military and civil authority by maintaining the principle of civil supremacy, as well as military professionalism in carrying out its main tasks.
He also advised the public not to be easily provoked by negative news related to the discussion of the TNI bill.
"The TNI invites all elements of the nation to maintain unity and not be easily provoked. We must continue to maintain national stability together," Subiyanto stated.
Related news: Bill on TNI to help bolster state defense: Minister
Translator: Melalusa Susthira Khalida, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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