House Member Wants TNI to Focus on Defense

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representative's (DPR) Defense Commission member, Charles Honoris, said that the assignment of TNI personnel in state ministries or institutions should not deviate from fields related to national defense.

Charles made the statement following questions about a possible revision of the TNI Law or Law No.34/2004.

According to Charles, the TNI Law revision is only a discourse. 

"It hasn't been discussed at all, it's still just a discourse. It's not even included in the national legislation program," he told Tempo on Wednesday, February 6.

TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said that he planned to expand available posts for senior army officers within the TNI and state institutions.

"We want TNI officers to be able to take on work in institutions or ministries as first echelon, second echelon, and of course the echelons below. That way, colonels can work [in state institutions]," he said during a TNI leadership meeting in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, January 31.

But Hadi said that his plan has to wait for a revision of Law No.34/2004 or the TNI Law, specifically article 47 that stipulates middle officers and high-ranking officers' role in state institutions.

Charles said it was difficult to respond to the Commander's statement, as he had not seen what the proposed revisions are. However, he asserted that TNI's duties must be focused on defense.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician said that TNI officers have special training in defending the state, and thus it is better to optimize that skill in relevant sectors only.

FIKRI ARIGI