Anton Aliabbas, Jakarta – The draft law on the armed forces (Rancangan Undang-Undang Tentara Nasional Indonesia, RUU TNI) is not considered to be in accordance with the TNI’s new paradigm, has the potential to bring the dual social and political function of the TNI back to life and contravenes People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree Number VII/2003. The draft law must therefore be withdrawn.

Such was the position put to the People’s Representative Assembly (DPR) Commission I at the national parliament on Jalan Gatot Subroto in Jakarta by the Joint Secretariat, the Petition of 50 Working Group, the Committee to Guard against the New Order (KWOB) the Marhen People’s Movement (GRM) and the Muslim Students Association for Reform (HMI-MPO) on Monday August 23.

“The perpetuation of the [TNI’s] territorial command structure1 in this draft law also has the potential to encourage military interference in the political life [of society just] like the New Order [regime of former President Suharto]”, said GRM chairperson Syamsul Hilal.

“In fact added Hilal, the territorial commands which exist at the moment represent a waste of state funds because they are not an institution which needs to provide ongoing services. According to Hilal, the territorial commands should become and institution who’s application is determined solely by situational necessity.

“We therefore ask the DPR to return the draft law to the government for further improvements. The improvements to the draft law must [be carried out] with the broad and open involvement of the public at every single stage”, said Hilal.

Despite all the complaints they are determined to continue down this path [lit: the dogs bark but the traders continue on their way]. This saying seems to represent the position of the commission. Following the meeting Commission I chairperson Ibrahim Ambong said that the commission will continue to deliberate the draft law. “We will continue to discuss the draft law”, Ambong responded curtly. (djo)

Notes:

1. The TNI’s territorial command structure mandates the deployment of military command posts and detachments at all levels of the civil administration: provincial, district, sub- district and village. This structure provides the organisational framework for the TNI to act as a political security force at all levels of society.

[Translated by James Balowski.]