Puan Concerning The TNI Bill: DPR Opens Up To Accept Input From All Elements Of Society

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (Ist)

JAKARTA - The DPR will begin discussing the revision of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army (TNI) with the Government, including with the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan). The chairman of the DPR RI, Puan Maharani, ensured that the DPR was open to receiving input from the public regarding the TNI Bill.

"We have to wait for the RDP (Heart Meeting) with the Minister of Defense later," said Puan at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 11.

For information, this afternoon, Commission I of the DPR is scheduled to hold an RDP with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, and Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi in the context of discussing amendments to Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI. Puan said that Commission I of the DPR would accommodate the best things from this bill.

"There will be crucial issues discussed regarding the plan and friends at Commission I who will discuss the best in the continuation plan of the law," said the chairman of the PDIP DPP.

As is known, the TNI Bill has drawn pros and cons among the community. There are several crucial issues in the bill that are of public concern, ranging from changing the retirement age of soldiers, the TNI is active in serving public office which raises concerns about the existence of TNI's duality, to the existence of a draft regulation that allows the TNI to do business.

Even so, TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto recently stated that active TNI personnel who served in Ministries or government institutions must retire early.

"The fifth, of course, is in accordance with the current TNI Law, so later we will see how it will be implemented, whether it will be revised and so on, of course, it will depend on the results of the RDP and input from the community," explained Puan.

Commission I has previously heard input from experts and NGOs regarding the TNI Bill. Puan ensured that the DPR opened itself up to receive input regarding the discussion of this policy.

"The DPR accepts all input from elements of society in terms of discussing this TNI Bill. For us, it will be decided later, God willing, it will be the best for the nation and state," he said.

Puan also asked all parties to wait further on developments from the discussion at Commission I of the DPR with the Government.

"Because that's where we can exchange ideas, discuss what will then be input from the government and also input from the DPR to then collaborate and get input in the implementation of the upcoming TNI Bill," concluded Puan.