SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Bill on Amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has been approved in the 15th Plenary Session of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) for the 2024–2025 Second Session Period, held at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta, on Thursday.

The approval was witnessed by Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and officials from the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Finance.

The revised law introduces four major amendments.

Article 3 reaffirms that the TNI remains under the President’s direct authority regarding the deployment and use of military force. Meanwhile, strategic defense planning and administrative support fall under the coordination of the Ministry of Defense.

Article 7 expands TNI’s primary duties from 14 to 16 tasks. The two additional roles include assisting in countering cyber threats and assisting in the protection and evacuation of Indonesian citizens while safeguarding national interests abroad.

Article 47 increases the number of civilian positions that can be held by active-duty TNI personnel from 10 to 14 fields. These positions can only be filled at the request of ministries or agencies and must comply with existing regulations and administrative requirements. Outside these roles, TNI personnel must resign or retire before assuming civilian positions.

Article 53 adjusts the retirement age for all ranks. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted personnel will now retire at 55 instead of 53 years. Officers up to the Colonel rank will continue to retire at 58 years. General officers will have an extended service period, with four-star generals retiring at 63 years, extendable to 65 years.

Previously, Deputy of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, reassured that the TNI Law Amendments upholds civilian supremacy, ensuring that it does not reinstate the dual function of the TNI or ABRI.

"During our last dialogue with the civil society coalition, we reached a mutual agreement to prioritize civilian supremacy. This ensures that the revised TNI Law does not signal a return to the dual-function role of the military," Dasco emphasized, as quoted on Antara, when met before attending the Plenary Session.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas