TNI Commander: Law 34/2004 Is No Longer Relevant, Needs Improvement

Meeting of the TNI Commander, Army Chief of Staff, KSAU, KSAL with Commission I of the DPR. Photo: Nailin/VOI

JAKARTA - TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto assessed that Law (UU) Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army (TNI) was irrelevant, so it needed improvement. The changes include the position of the TNI, the extension of the TNI's term of office, and related to the active TNI's assignment in government.

This was conveyed by the TNI Commander when discussing changes to the TNI Law with Commission I of the DPR at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, March 13.

"Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI which is the legal umbrella for the TNI as a state tool in carrying out its duties based on state policies and decisions is considered irrelevant and needs to be adjusted in dealing with various problems, in implementing basic norms of policies and state political decisions," said Agus.

Agus explained several changes that will be carried out in the revision of the TNI Law. Among them, expanding each dimension in the concept of integrated trimatra, strengthening strategic intelligence in military decision making and operational readiness based on global threat scenarios.

"In addition, the provisions of some phrases are not suitable for use and it is necessary to improve editorials in various articles because they are related to the main tasks of the TNI," explained Agus.

Agus continued, the discussion on the revision of the TNI Law had been discussed from 2010 until the period until 2024 the revision was not included in the list of Prolegnas for the Priority Bill. However, he said, the TNI welcomed the inclusion of the revision of the TNI Law to accommodate various current and future problems.

"The TNI views that there is a need to improve the bill on amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI regarding the position in the aspect of guidance and use of force," he said.

Agus said the main tasks of the TNI and the task force were adjusted to the dynamics of threats and emphasized the limitation of roles to avoid duplication with other institutions. In dealing with non-military threats, the TNI has the concept of placing active TNI soldiers in the ministry of institutions outside the defense sector.

He added that the TNI views that the principle of civil supremacy is a fundamental element of a democratic country that must be maintained by ensuring a clear separation between the military and civilians.

"The TNI is committed to maintaining the role of the military and civilian authorities while maintaining the principles of civil supremacy and military professionalism in carrying out its main duties," he said.

In addition to the position and assignment of the TNI to be active in the government, Agus also said that it was also necessary to make changes to the extension of the TNI's term of office.

"On the other hand, the average life expectancy of the Indonesian people which is increasing has an impact on retirement and its transitional provisions. As for the relevance of the retirement age limit, the TNI remains consistent in maintaining a balance between combat readiness and leadership regeneration," concluded the TNI Commander.