DPR Refuses to Send TNI Troops to Marawi If Not for Peace-keeping

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) Defense Commission says there is no further coordination yet with the Defense Ministry regarding the plan to send troops to Marawi, Southern Philippines.

The commission's deputy chairman from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Tubagus Hasanuddin said here on Friday, August 18.

The commission's deputy chairman from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Tubagus Hasanuddin said here on Friday that the commission sticks with its stance that sending TNI troops to Marawi violates the Indonesian Law.

"It is not permitted by our law, except they go as a peace-keeping force," he said.

Earlier, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu claimed that the Philippines had allowed the TNI to engage in a war against the Mautes militia in Marawi, Southern Philippines.

Since mid-July, Ryamizard has said that his ministry is ready to coordinate with the House.

"Even if the target is to prevent, it's only in the borderline".

Tubagus denied that TNI's refusal to deploy troops is because it clashes with Indonesia's defense principle, the Active Defensive policy.

"No, it's just a defense strategy, mainly because it's against the law."

Another member of the commission, Abdul Kharis Almasyhari from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), shared Tubagus' sentiments.

"In addition to considering the law, dispatching TNI troops should take into account our budget. If we don’t have the budget, why do it?" he said.

The discussion on the plan to send troops to Marawi, said Abdul, will be discussed internally by the Defense Commission on Monday, 21 August.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO