House of Representatives Commission II: Regional Heads From TNI-Police Can Lead Regions With High Threat Levels

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JAKARTA - The government has planned for high-ranking TNI and Police officers to become acting regional heads next year. The reason is, there are several regional heads whose leadership terms will expire in 2022 and 2023.

In this regard, Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Luqman Hakim, has no problem if the government opens the option for a high-ranking TNI-Police officer to be appointed as Acting (Pj) Regional Head.

"The acting regional heads who come from the TNI/Police can be considered to lead areas where the threat level of social order disturbance is high", said Luqman, Monday, September 27.

Moreover, he said, previously the government had practiced appointing acting regional heads from the police and military several years ago. Among them are in West Java and Aceh.

"So, in my opinion, it is not relevant at this time to worry too much about the re-emergence of the TNI/Police Dual Functions with the opportunity for the TNI/Police to be appointed as acting regional heads", said the PKB politician.

According to him, some differences must be considered regarding concerns about the emergence of dual functions such as the New Order era. That is, the appointment by the government is not a proposal.

"If later a member of the TNI/Police becomes the acting head of the region, it will be because they were appointed, not because they have power like during the new order", explained Luqman.

Meanwhile, regarding the possibility of violations, if the TNI-Police serves as regional heads, according to Luqman, it depends on whether within the TNI/Police organization there is a structure for the Middle High Leadership Position and the Primary High Leadership Position.

"If there is, it means that it does not violate the rules. Or, are the TNI/Police members assigned to be acting regional heads currently serving in Middle/Primary High Offices in Ministries/Institutions/Government Agencies", explained Luqman.

Luqman added, in Law 10 of 2016 it was only stated that the Acting Governor came from the Middle High Leadership Position and the Acting Regent/Mayor came from the Primary High Leadership Position, not specifically mentioned from ASN.

"So, if the question must be how many star officers, then back to the rules, what are the requirements for someone to occupy the Middle/Primary High Leadership Position above", he concluded.