Discourse on TNI Actively Entering Government: Suggested by Luhut, Denied by Jokowi

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Proposal active TNI officers enter the government has been the subject of controversy in recent times.

It started with the idea of ​​the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

However, it seems that Luhut’s idea will not be realized. Because, his proposal was immediately countered by President Joko Widodo.

The President said that there was no urgent need to place military elements in the government.

Read also: Luhut Suggests Active TNI Officers Can Serve in Ministries/Institutions

Luhut’s suggestion

Initially, Luhut suggested that Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army (TNI) be revised by including an article that allows active TNI officers to serve in ministries/agencies.

This idea, said Luhut, he has conceived since serving as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam).

“Actually, there is one thing that is necessary since I am Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, that the TNI is assigned to a ministry/institution at the request of the institution with the approval of the President,” he said at the National Gathering of the Indonesian Army Retired Army Association, Friday (5/8). 2022).

Read also: Luhut Suggests Active TNI to Enter Government, Jokowi: The Need Is Not Urgent

According to Luhut, if his proposal is realized, there will be no more high-ranking TNI AD officers filling unnecessary positions. In this way, the TNI’s work will be more efficient.

In addition, according to him, later high-ranking army officers will not have to fight for positions because they can have careers outside of military institutions.

“Actually, the TNI will be able to play a more direct role and not all TNI officers have to be KSAD (Chief of Staff of the Army). It may not be KSAD, but he is in the ministry,” said the retired general.

Luhut said the provisions he proposed had now applied to active Polri officers who could be assigned to a number of ministries/institutions.

“So I hope that the TNI, in this case with the Ministry of Defense (Ministry of Defense) later if possible, will include this one article for amendments UU TNI,” he said.

Law rules

Provisions regarding the assignment of members of the TNI in government institutions have actually been regulated in Article 47 of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI.

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