Revision of TNI Law and Polri Bill, Strengthening National Resilience and Increasing Personnel Professionalism
By: Caleb Setiawan )*
The polemic regarding the revision of the Indonesian National Army Law (UU TNI) and the discourse on the Draft Police Law (RUU Polri) has developed not only as a legal debate, but has entered a broader and more complex realm. The wave of rejection that has emerged recently is not only formed by differences of opinion, but also seems to be directed by a provocative narrative that threatens national stability. In a situation like this, a cautious attitude needs to be put forward, especially considering the importance of maintaining the country’s sovereignty and security from potential internal and external disruptions.
The revision of the TNI Law that is currently being discussed actually has the main spirit of strengthening national resilience, increasing the professionalism of soldiers, and perfecting the role of defense institutions in the context of an era that continues to develop. This is in line with the view of the Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Hariyanto, who assessed that the changes still prioritize the principle of civilian supremacy and do not conflict with military reforms that have been taking place since the early 2000s. The mechanisms and criteria stipulated in the draft law are also strictly designed, ensuring that the military’s role outside the defense structure is only carried out within the framework of objective and urgent national needs.
However, the narrative that has developed in the public space seems to be aimed at creating fear and suspicion. Rejection of the expansion of the role of active soldiers in ministries and civil institutions is framed as a threat to democracy, even though the regulation aims to support the state’s effectiveness in facing multidimensional challenges, including maritime security, counter-narcotics, and cyber resilience. Adjusting the retirement age limit is also considered a form of monopoly of power, when in fact, this is intended so that the experience and capacity of soldiers who are still prime can still be utilized without sacrificing the regeneration system that is already running.
The widespread and coordinated wave of rejection has raised concerns among strategic observers. The Director of the Merah Putih Stratejik Institute (MPSI), Noor Azhari, views that this phenomenon shows a pattern that resembles asymmetric warfare, where provocative narratives are used to weaken national defense institutions from within. He observed the correlation between increasing geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and systematic efforts to disrupt the consolidation of power in developing countries. In this context, Indonesia as a strategic archipelagic country is believed to be the target of a foreign agenda that does not want the growth of new regional powers.
Indications of the involvement of transnational actors are getting stronger along with similar patterns that have occurred in several other countries. Experiences from Eastern Europe and the Middle East show how the issue of democracy is often manipulated into a tool of political pressure on countries that are strengthening their defense institutions. In Indonesia, the narrative of rejection that is formed is more often built through an emotional approach and one-sided perception rather than an objective understanding of the contents of the revision.
The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Student Regiment, M. Arwani Deni, also saw that the direction of this polemic cannot be separated from Indonesia’s position which is now increasingly strategic in the global constellation, especially since entering BRICS. Indonesia’s support for the multipolar world order is a concern for certain global powers that have so far dominated the international political and economic architecture. Indonesia’s steps to strengthen its defense system are seen as a threat to the status quo which has so far been controlled by the Western axis.
The rejection of the revision of the TNI Law is also considered to be full of geopolitical content because it occurs in the midst of regional rivalry, especially between the United States and China in the Pacific region. In this situation, various strategic policies of Indonesia have the potential to become the target of maneuvers by major powers who want to maintain their influence. So it is not surprising that every effort to increase the capacity of the Indonesian military is immediately confronted with anti-democratic discourse, even though in reality there is not a single article that indicates the return of the military to politics.
On the other hand, the discourse on the revision of the Polri Law has also become the subject of speculation that is spiced with inaccuracies. The DPR emphasized that there has been no official discussion regarding the bill, so that the narrative built outside the official mechanism will only worsen the situation. This issue needs to be straightened out so that it is not used as material for agitation against law enforcement agencies which are actually expected to strengthen their professionalism in responding to the challenges of the times.
Indonesia needs a strong national force in facing increasingly complex global challenges. In this context, strengthening the military and police iswill be an integral part of the long-term strategy to maintain the integrity of the country. When there is an attempt to frame this strategic step as a form of threat, then the public must carefully sort out information and not get caught up in provocative narratives.
When public opinion is directed by baseless provocation, then not only is the national discourse disrupted, but also the legitimacy of the country’s strategic institutions. For this reason, synergy between the government, academics, civil society, and the media is important so that policies that are born for the sake of national sovereignty are not led into horizontal conflicts that are detrimental to all parties. Indonesia must stand tall as a nation that is not easily intervened, either by manipulated domestic pressure or by interested external forces. Collective vigilance is key to maintaining national stability so that it remains intact, strong, and sovereign.
)* Public Policy Analysis
