3 days ago
16
March 26, 2025 | 12:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Information Center (Kapuspen) TNI, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, emphasized that the current generation of TNI has no desire to return to the New Order era, which implemented the dual function of military.
"That is the past, a dark past indeed," he stated during a Zoom discussion on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Kristomei highlighted that, at present, only a few active soldiers have firsthand experience with military dual function. As a Military Academy graduate of 1997, he himself never encountered such a system.
"In fact, we want to be professional soldiers," he asserted.
The one-star general explained that under the New Order, the dual function of military enabled TNI personnel to occupy positions in both the executive and legislative branches. However, he reaffirmed that today, active-duty soldiers are strictly prohibited from engaging in politics.
Previously, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) warned that the revision of the TNI Law could potentially revive the military’s dual function and hinder regeneration within the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
This concern arose from Komnas HAM's study on discussions surrounding the TNI Law revision since 2024. Anis Hidayah, Coordinator of the Human Rights Advancement Sub-Commission at Komnas HAM, pointed out that Article 47, paragraph (2) of the revised TNI Law—allowing for the placement of active soldiers in civilian institutions—poses a risk of reinstating the dual function of the military.
"This article contradicts the Decree of the People's Consultative Assembly Number VII/MPR/2000, which defines the roles of the TNI and the National Police as the defense and security apparatus of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," Anis Hidayah stated during a press conference at the Komnas HAM office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Komnas HAM noted that the proposed amendments could open the door for active TNI personnel to assume civilian roles in ministries or other governmental institutions. Additionally, Anis mentioned that under the revised regulations, future Presidents might have the authority to appoint active TNI soldiers to positions in additional ministries.
For context, Chairwoman of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, officiated the ratification of the TNI Bill in a plenary session on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Hammam Izzuddin and Eka Yudha contributed to the writing of this article.
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