Formappi Asks Acting Regional Head Of Active TNI-Polri To Be Corrected Immediately

Researcher of the Parliamentary Concerned Community Forum (Formappi), Lucius Karus. ANTARA/Dyah Dwi/am.

JAKARTA - Researcher of the Indonesian Parliamentary Concerned Society Forum (Formappi) Lucius Karus asked that the appointment of active TNI/Polri as acting (Pj) regional heads must be corrected immediately.

"I think these are early stages. If this is not prevented immediately, what is going on is by providing an opportunity for active TNI/Polri to occupy civilian positions," Lucius said in a statement quoted by Antara, Saturday, May 28.

He said this in response to the appointment of Brigadier General Andi Chandra As'aduddin as Acting Regent of West Seram, Maluku Province.

"I think this is the stage that the public feared in 1998 when the TNI/Polri took up civilian positions," he said.

Lucius emphasized that the government and the DPR must immediately ensure that civilian positions are not carried by active members of the TNI/Polri. He also revealed the potential that could arise if active members of the TNI/Polri became freer to occupy civilian positions.

"I think it is important from the start to urge the government and the DPR to ensure that the rules relating to civilian positions cannot be held by the TNI/Polri," he said.

Lucius said the appointment was not in accordance with the spirit and mandate of the Reformation. Apart from that, he said he also violated the rules.

Lucius was worried that the appointment would only be the beginning of the appointment of the acting regional head that was not in accordance with the regulations. According to him, ahead of the 2024 contest the smell of politics is getting warmer.

Previously, the Speaker of the DPR, Puan Maharani, asked the government to conduct a transparent and open selection process for public participation. Puan emphasized that the process should be free from political interests.

"Prepare adequate facilities if the community wants to provide input and carry out screening in a measurable manner and free from political interests," said Puan.

Meanwhile, Ray Rangkuti, the founder of Lingkar Madani, stated that the appointment of active members of the TNI violated Law No. 5 of 2015 article 20 paragraph 3 regarding civilian positions that may be carried out in central agencies and Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army.

The law prohibits the TNI from holding civilian positions, outside of 10 institutions. The institutions listed include the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the National Crypto Agency, and the Supreme Court.

“At least 8 out of 10 given to sit in position still have to do with their function as defence. Active TNI involvement in civilian positions should not be far from their main function as institutions dealing with national defense," said Ray.