Komnas HAM Urges Discussion On The TNI Bill To Be Extended For The Sake Of Accommodating Many Aspirations

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has requested that the discussion of the Draft Law (RUU) on Amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI be extended.

Komnas HAM chairman Atnike Nova Sigiro said the extension of the discussion period was to accommodate more public aspirations and attention.

"If we look at the discussion process that has received public attention, criticism, and certain concerns, in our opinion, this discussion process should be extended so that what is the aspiration and public attention can be discussed further," Atnike said at a press conference at his office, Jakarta, Wednesday, March 19, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, Komnas HAM has provided recommendations to legislators, namely the government and the DPR, to mitigate the onset of unwanted impacts from the revision of the TNI Law.

In the future, added Atnike, Komnas HAM is committed to continuing to observe the implications after the revision of the TNI Law was passed into law.

On the same occasion, Deputy Head of External Affairs Abdul Haris Semendawa said Komnas HAM had been conducting studies related to the revision of the TNI Law since 2024. The study highlighted fundamental issues related to human rights, civil supremacy, and democratic principles.

In the study, Komnas HAM provided notes on the preparation of the TNI Bill. According to Komnas HAM, the preparation of the TNI Bill needs to begin with a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the previous TNI Law.

In addition, he added, Komnas HAM also emphasized the importance of expanding the participation space for civil society and transparency in the preparation of the TNI Bill.

"This study confirms that the revision of the TNI Law must be based on human rights principles, civil supremacy, and democratic governance," he said.

Previously, Commission I of the DPR RI approved the discussion of the Draft Law (RUU) on Amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army at level I, to be brought to the next level at the DPR RI Plenary Meeting.

The TNI Bill was approved for discussion at the Plenary Meeting after all political party factions in the DPR RI expressed their final opinion on the factions. All factions also agreed that the bill was discussed to a further level.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives Dave Laksono said the TNI Bill would be brought to the DPR RI Plenary Meeting on Thursday, March 20.