Vulnerable to Misrepresentation, the Retired Military Officers Forum Is Not an Official Platform
By: Latea Latra *)
As a democratic country, Indonesia provides space for criticism and aspirations, but every political demand must adhere to constitutional laws and consider national stability. The recent proposal to impeach Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is a provocation not supported by the substantial reasons required by the 1945 Constitution and has the potential to disrupt the newly functioning government.
This polemic stems from a misrepresentation of the institution: the forum calls itself “retired TNI-Polri officers,” but in reality, it is not an official platform for retirees within the Indonesian National Army (TNI). The acting chairman of the Indonesian Army Retired Officers Association (PPAD), Major General (Ret) Komaruddin Simanjuntak, emphasized that the eight demands of the forum do not represent the views of all retired TNI-AD officers. This clarification is important to correct the impression that all retirees support the impeachment of Gibran or reject the government’s strategic programs.
PPAD, along with PEPABRI, LVRI, PPAL, PPAU, PP Polri, and PERIP, is recognized by the state as a legal entity. Komaruddin emphasized that PPAD is a platform for channeling the aspirations and contributions of retired TNI-AD officers. This means that official channels are available for retirees to express their views to the government, the TNI, and the public. Therefore, any statement from a forum outside the official structure should be viewed as the opinion of a group, not the stance of the TNI as an institution.
In defense doctrine, the solidarity of the TNI and the police is the foundation of the nation’s unity. Misrepresenting the aspirations of retired officers could be exploited by certain parties to divide the morale of active forces and erode public trust. Komaruddin called on retirees to maintain the honor, unity, and dignity of the TNI. This call aligns with the Sapta Marga and the code of ethics for military fighters. If the forum’s statement is left unclarified, the public may conclude that there is a serious division within the military, even though the majority of retirees support the constitutional government.
Komaruddin stated that while he respects the aspirations of his fellow veterans, retirees are encouraged to serve with the code of ethics of military fighters—Sapta Marga, the Soldier’s Oath, and the Eight Obligations of the TNI. He quoted PPAD elder General (Ret) Widjojo Soejono, who emphasized that a soldier only stops fighting when they can no longer hear the sound of a salvo beside their ear. This philosophy reinforces the role of retired officers as guardians of the nation’s unity, not political maneuverers who cause fragmentation.
In addition to PPAD, a collective statement from cross-service retired officers—joined in an official forum—also affirmed support for the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Komaruddin outlined five points of the retirees’ stance: first, only PEPABRI, LVRI, PPAD, PPAL, PPAU, PP Polri, and PERIP legitimately represent the retired officers’ family; second, the solidarity of the TNI-Polri must continue to be maintained; third, even though retirees are no longer in active service, their dedication to the nation is ongoing; fourth, retirees “fully support the government’s programs in accordance with Asta Cita”; fifth, they encourage the public to support national development. This position clarifies that the push for Gibran’s impeachment represents only a small group of retired officers, not the unified stance of the TNI-Polri family.
The retired officers’ forum included the removal of Gibran as the eighth point in their eight demands. They argue that the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the age requirement for vice-presidential candidates creates a moral invalidity. However, Article 7B of the 1945 Constitution clearly requires that impeachment must be preceded by allegations of serious violations—such as treason or corruption—and decided by the Constitutional Court. Political analyst Hendri Satrio warned that this is a long and convoluted path. Calling for impeachment without a strong legal basis will only create noise, disrupt political stability, and weaken national defense agendas.
The performance of the defense sector is closely tied to political legitimacy. The modernization of defense equipment, improving soldiers’ welfare, and strengthening the independence of the defense industry all require a stable political climate. The issue of impeaching the Vice President in the first year of governance creates strategic uncertainty: defense industry investors hold back, foreign partners are confused about policy direction, and potential enemies test readiness. Maintaining legitimate civil-military leadership is an integral part of defense strategy.
The retired officers’ forum could have raised objections through an audience mechanism with the President’s Advisory Council or the DPR’s Commission I. If the objections are legal, a judicial review can be taken to the Constitutional Court; if they are policy-based, they can be communicated through structured dialogue. Such steps demonstrate democratic maturity and consistency with the Sapta Marga guidelines: loyalty to the constitution, not to group interests.
Political noise is often caused by the public’s limited understanding of the military organization structure and state procedures. The public needs to understand the difference between informal forums and official institutions to avoid being misled by misinformation. The media also has a responsibility to verify the validity of claims before broadcasting them. In the context of defense, incorrect information can affect troop morale.
The discourse on impeaching Vice President Gibran without a solid legal basis is a provocation that could disrupt defense and development stability. PPAD’s clarification that the Retired Officers Forum is not an official platform emphasizes the need for caution in accepting information. All parties, including retirees, should adhere to Sapta Marga: loyal to the nation and the state above personal interests. In this way, strategic defense programs can proceed, economic development can be maintained, and national unity can remain intact.
*) The author is a defense observer.
