Defense Minister: Active TNI Soldiers Can Serve In 15 Ministries/Institutions

Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin/PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh-VOI

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that active TNI soldiers could serve in 15 Ministries/Institutions. TNI soldiers who serve in 15 Ministries/Institutions do not need to resign.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Defense in a working meeting with Commission I of the DPR which discussed the revision of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army (TNI), Tuesday, March 11.

Active soldiers of the TNI, said Sjafrie, can hold positions in the office in charge of Coordinator for Politics and National Security, State Defense, Presidential Military Secretary, State Intelligence, State Password, National Defense Institution, National Defense Council, Search and Rescue (SAR) National, National Narcotics, and Supreme Court.

Then Marine and Fisheries, BNPB, BNPT, Maritime Security and the Attorney General's Office.

"In the Law, there are 15 institutions that can be occupied by active TNI soldiers, as in Law 34 which is currently in effect," said Sjafrie.

Referring to Sjafrie's statement, there are 5 additional civilian positions that can be held by TNI soldiers, namely Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, BNPB, BNPT, Maritime Security, and the Attorney General's Office.

Meanwhile, in Article 47 paragraph 2 of the TNI Law, there are currently only 10 Ministries/Institutions that can be held by the active TNI. Yaknikordinator for Politics and National Security, State Defense, Presidential Military Secretary, State Intelligence, State Crypto, National Defense Institute, National Defense Council, Search and Rescue (SAR) National, National Narcotics, and Supreme Court.

Therefore, the Minister of Defense said, outside of the 15 ministries/agencies in question, TNI soldiers must retire first to carry out their new duties.

"So there are 15 (allowed). Then for certain positions, if you want to be placed (outside the 15) he must retire," said Sjafrie.

"So 15 plus he has to retire. (If) the 15 are not," he continued.