Independent Report – Senior researcher at Imparsial and Chairman of the Centra Initiative Daily Board, Al Araf, explained several reasons why active military personnel should not hold civilian positions. This discussion arose in relation to the revision of Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
According to data collected by Imparsial, the number of active military personnel in civilian positions has exceeded the legal limit. In the Prabowo-Gibran administration, one of the active TNI officers currently serving in a civilian role is Major Teddy Indra Wijaya, who now holds the position of Cabinet Secretary.
Al Araf highlighted the controversy surrounding Major Teddy’s appointment as Cabinet Secretary. The restructuring placed the position under the military secretary, which raises concerns about its legality. He emphasized that this adjustment contradicts the TNI Law and creates a complex legal debate. During a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives at the Senayan Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, he stressed that this decision violates existing regulations.
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Imparsial views the normalization of military involvement in civilian affairs as a dangerous trend that could lead to authoritarianism. Al Araf warned against allowing the military to become embedded in civilian life within a democratic state. If this continues, it could result in securitization, which ultimately leads to authoritarian rule.
In addition to the risks of authoritarianism, the presence of active military personnel in civilian roles also affects career opportunities for civil servants in ministries and government institutions. Their advancement may become restricted due to military appointments. This situation disrupts the bureaucratic system and undermines the merit-based career progression of civil servants.
Al Araf expressed concerns that placing active military or police officers in civilian positions would weaken state institutions. He urged authorities to avoid drawing the military back into civilian governance, as this could damage the country’s administrative structure. He also criticized the government for reorganizing the Cabinet Secretary position to allow Major Teddy to retain his military status without retirement.
At the same meeting, the Executive Director of SETARA Institute, Ismail Hasani. He discussed the importance of the Draft Bill on Amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces. He argued that this revision could help prevent conflicts between TNI and the police. Over the past ten years, records show around 37 incidents of tensions between the two institutions at lower levels.
He pointed out that these conflicts stem from sociological and pragmatic issues within TNI. The military has faced disparities in welfare, roles, and treatment, particularly over the past two decades.
In his remarks, Ismail explained that over the last 20 years. TNI’s role has not been optimized as it should be. During the previous era, when TNI was known as the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia (ABRI), it held both military and sociopolitical power. However, since the early reform era, the military has gradually been sidelined. Some still perceive the institution as it was during the transition period, which affects its role and status today.
He hopes that the amendment to the TNI Law will reinforce democracy, particularly in regulating civil-military relations. He emphasized the need for a strong philosophical foundation that ensures TNI’s role in protecting the nation while maintaining democratic principles. This balance, according to him, is crucial for Indonesia’s governance and stability.
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