Regarding The TP Battalion, DPR: You Can Help With Food, But You Can't Change The TNI's Structure

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I DPR RI, TB Hasanuddin responded to the plan of the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) and the TNI Headquarters which will form a Development Territorial Battalion (TP). In principle, according to Hasanuddin, the government's move is only natural as long as it is still in the corridor of legislation.

"According to Article 7 paragraph 2 of the TNI Law in the form of Military Operations Apart from War (OMSP), the TNI does have additional tasks outside of combat operations, including assisting local governments. So, the TNI is legitimate to help agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors, etc. who need TNI's energy and technical support," said TB Hasanuddin to reporters, Thursday, November 20.

Nevertheless, TB Hasanuddin emphasized that there are several things that need to be seriously criticized and considered. According to him, all TNI units must still be in the structure of the standard TNI organization, namely based on the standard TOP (Organization and Equipment Table).

The real TNI is defense. So the organization must remain a defense organization," he said.

"Brigades and battalions must remain brigades and combat battalions, not turn into battalions with agricultural companies, livestock companies, fisheries companies, and construction companies," continued Major General Retired TNI.

The PDIP legislator from the West Java electoral district also added that the TNI could be used as assistance for food security, as long as it does not change the organizational structure that is running.

"If the TNI wants to help, just help. There is no need to change the structure. Let the TNI organization remain in accordance with its function as a state defense tool," Hasanuddin concluded.

It is known that the government is targeting the construction of 500 development territorial battalions in five years throughout Indonesia. Every year, 100 development battalions will be formed.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the development territorial battalion would support government programs. So far, 100 battalions have been formed.

"The Ministry of Defense and the TNI ensures that the Development Territorial Battalion will support the downstream program. Secure the downstream program and also secure the self-sufficiency program," said Sjafrie.

In the battalion territorial battalion structure, there is a health company. The existence of a health company is considered crucial as a form of readiness to face the threat of biosecurity in the future.