Jokowi Disagrees With Luhut's Idea, Considers Assignment Of Active TNI Officers In K/L Not Urgent

Photo: BPMI Acting President/Laily Rachev

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo said the assignment of active Indonesian Army (TNI) and National Police officers to be assigned to ministries or non-ministerial government institutions (K/L) was not urgent.

"I see that the need is still not urgent", said Jokowi in Boyolali, Central Java, Thursday, August 11.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, at the National Gathering of the Army Retired Army Association (Silatnas PPAD), Friday, August 5, proposed changing the TNI Law so that active TNI/National Police officers could serve in K/L.

"I have answered the need, I see the need is not urgent", said Jokowi.

In the PPAD Silatnas, Luhut revealed that he had proposed a revision of the TNI Law.

"Actually, there is one thing that needs to be changed since I was Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, namely that the TNI may be assigned to a ministry/institution at the request of the institution, with the approval of the president", said Luhut.

The aim is for high-ranking TNI officers to become more efficient.

"That would actually help, it doesn't need a lot of unnecessary stars in the Army. So, the Army can be more efficient but Army officers don't need to fight for positions either; because like in my place, it can't be active TNI officers. Those who enter, who can be the Police, are the same at the (Ministry) of Transportation, everywhere", explained Luhut.

He also hoped that the TNI together with the Ministry of Defense would include one article in the amendment to the TNI Law.

"So, actually the TNI will be able to play a more direct role and TNI officers don't all have to be Army Chief of Staff (KSAD), they may not be KSAD but they are in the ministry", said Luhut.

Luhut's statement received a rejection by several parties, one of which was the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI). YLBHI said, Luhut's desire further clarifies efforts to revive the TNI's dual function and strengthen the symptoms of authoritarianism that endanger democracy.