TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Human rights advocacy group Setara Institute chairman Hendardi urged President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to revise the Law No. 31 of 1997 concerning the military court following the attack on the Ciracas Police Station.

“President Jokowi can initiate to amend Law 31/1997 on the military court as the main agenda to ensure equality before the law, especially the Indonesian Military (TNI) members who commit crimes to be tried in public courts,” said Hendardi in a written statement on Monday, August 31.

The attack on the police station in East Jakarta on early Saturday was allegedly carried out by military personnel.

While waiting for the law revision, Hendardi said, the TNI and the National Police needed to consider the possibility of holding a court for the incident in accordance with Articles 89-94 of the Criminal Code, and Article 198 (3) of the Military Court Law.

He added that reform within the TNI was necessary, as well as a deliberation of a bill on military assistance so that the military could function outside of war operations.

Hendardi hoped there would be a constructive institutional synergy between the TNI and the police to their smallest level. The synergy of the two institutions so far, he added, was only represented by the elites. “While there are still frictions between the soldiers.”

Read: Military, Police Join Forces to Investigate Attack on Ciracas Police HQ

FIKRI ARIGI