Singgih Wiryono, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition has expressed concern over the formation of the National Defence Council (DPN) which is considered not to be in line with Law Number 3/2002 on State Defence.
In addition to this, the broad powers under Article 3 Letter f of the presidential regulation on the DPN are also a primary focus of their concern.
"The Coalition is of the view that these additional powers are not in accordance with the authority stipulated under Law Number 3/2002 on State Defence", Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) Director Ardi Manto Adiputra said during a press conference at the Imparsial offices in Tebet, South Jakarta, on Thursday December 19.
Adiputra explained that the powers that are included under the clause "The DPN has the function of the implementation of other functions given by the President" has a quite a broad meaning.
He believes that these additional powers are "rubbery" (imprecise) and could give rise to multiple interpretations. "The broadness of the DPN's powers has the potential for the misuse of authority", he said.
He also stressed that with the existence of these broad powers they can be interpreted differently and the DPN has the potential to become a superbody institution that could endanger democracy and human rights.
"With this multiple interpretation, the DPN has the potential to be misused for certain interests", he said.
Earlier, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin was appointed by President Prabowo Subianto as the chairperson of the DPN. In addition to this, Deputy Defence Minister (Wamenhan) Donny Ermawan was also appointed as secretary.
The president presided over the inauguration which took place at the Presidential Palace on Jakarta on Monday December 16.
"Deciding, determining, and appointing from the date of the inauguration respectively the defence minister as the chairperson of National Defence Council. Two, the Wamenhan as the secretary of the National Defence Council. They shall be given financial authority and other facilities in accordance with applicable law", said the host when reading out the presidential decree.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil Kritik Pembentukan Dewan Pertahanan Nasional".]
