police-investigation-underway">Police Investigation Underway</a></li><li><a href="#details-of-the-disruption">Details of the disruption</a></li><li><a href="#protesters-demands-and-concerns">Protesters' Demands and Concerns</a></li><li><a href="#conclusion">Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#indonesias-tni-law-revision-a-clash-between-openness-and-national-security">IndonesiaS TNI Law revision: A Clash Between Openness and National Security?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>\r\n <p><strong>Jakarta</strong>—A meeting of the <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members" title="Legislators in the United States Congress - GovTrack.us">House of Representatives Commission I</a>, convened to discuss revisions to the TNI Law, was disrupted at the Fairmont Hotel in Central Jakarta on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The incident, which involved individuals claiming affiliation with the Civil Society Coalition, prompted a police report filed by a hotel security guard, identified as Ryr, and has triggered an active investigation by Polda Metro Jaya. The protesters voiced strong objections to the closed-door nature of the proceedings, raising concerns about transparency and potential implications for civil liberties.</p>\r\n <p>The Jakarta Metropolitan Police confirmed the report, registered under number LP/B/1876/III/2025/SPKT/Polda Metro Jaya.Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi, head of Metro Jaya Police Public Relations, addressed the media, stating, "The Jakarta Metropolitan Police received a report of alleged criminal acts disturbing public order adn or acts forcing accompanied by threats of violence and or insult against rulers or legal entities in Indonesia, reported by Ryr." the incident has ignited a debate about the balance between national security and the right to public discourse.</p>\r\n <h2><span id="police-investigation-underway">Police Investigation Underway</span></h2>\r\n <p>Commissioner Ade Ary emphasized that the reported incident is currently under active investigation.The articles cited in the report include Article 172, Article 212, Article 217, article 335, article 503, and article 207 of Law number 1 of 1946 concerning the Criminal Code. These articles cover a range of offenses, from disturbing public order to acts of coercion and threats. The breadth of these charges underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the disruption.</p>\r\n <p>"The reporter of Ryr, a victim of a member of the TNI Law Revision Discussion Meeting, was reported in the investigation," Commissioner Ade Ary stated, indicating that the investigation aims to determine the extent and nature of the disruption and identify those responsible. The investigation will likely involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing security footage, and analyzing the protesters' actions to determine if they crossed the line between protected speech and criminal behaviour.</p>\r\n <h2><span id="details-of-the-disruption">Details of the disruption</span></h2>\r\n <p>According to the initial report, the disruption began when a group of individuals started shouting in front of the meeting room where the TNI bill discussion was taking place. The protesters voiced their opposition to the meeting being held in private, demanding clarity and public access. The scene reportedly became tense as the protesters' voices grew louder, attracting the attention of hotel staff and attendees of the meeting.</p>\r\n <p>Commissioner Ade Ary elaborated on the sequence of events: "The reporter as the Security of the Fairmont hotel, Jakarta, explained that at around 18:00 WIB there were around 3 people who claimed from the Civil Society Coalition to enter the Fairmont hotel." The presence of the protesters created an immediate security concern, prompting hotel security to intervene and eventually file the police report.</p>\r\n <p>The situation escalated as "the group shouted in front of the meeting room Discussion on the revision of the TNI Law so that the meeting was stopped as it was carried out secretly and closed. For the incident, the victim had been disadvantaged," according to Commissioner Ade Ary. The disruption effectively halted the meeting, raising questions about the future of the <a href="https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2025/03/06/proposed-tni-law-revision-may-harm-militarys-professionalism.html" title="Proposed TNI Law revision may harm military's professionalism">TNI Law revision</a> process and the government's approach to public engagement.</p>\r\n <h2><span id="protesters-demands-and-concerns">Protesters' Demands and Concerns</span></h2>\r\n <p>The protesters, identifying themselves as members of the security sector reform coalition, explicitly called for the cessation of the TNI Bill Panja meeting. They argued that the private nature of the meeting was unacceptable and raised concerns about the potential implications of the TNI Law revision. Their primary demand was for the process to be opened to public scrutiny and for civil society organizations to be given a seat at the table.</p>\r\n <p>One of the participants in the protest, identified as Andrie, stated, "We are from the Reform Coalition of the observer security sector in the defense, stop, because it is not in accordance with this," during the demonstration at the Fairmont Hotel. Andrie's statement encapsulates the protesters' belief that the closed-door meeting violated principles of transparency and accountability.</p>\r\n <p>The protesters voiced fears that the TNI Bill could possibly lead to a resurgence of the ABRI dwifunction, a controversial doctrine from Indonesia's past. "Dear fathers, who he saeid want to be respected, we reject the discussion inside, we reject the existence of ABRI dwifunction, stop the process of discussing the TNI bill," one protester exclaimed, highlighting the core concerns driving their actions. The specter of ABRI dwifunction, with its history of military interference in civilian affairs, remains a potent symbol of the potential dangers of unchecked military power.</p>\r\n <h2><span id="conclusion">Conclusion</span></h2>\r\n <p>The disruption of the House of Representatives Commission I meeting at the Fairmont hotel underscores the sensitivity surrounding the TNI Law revision and the strong opinions held by various groups regarding its potential impact. The police investigation is ongoing, and the incident highlights the importance of transparency and public engagement in legislative processes, notably those concerning national security and the role of the military. The events of March 15,2025,serve as a reminder of the need for open dialog and inclusive decision-making in shaping Indonesia's future.</p>\r\n </article> <br/> <h2><span id="indonesias-tni-law-revision-a-clash-between-openness-and-national-security">IndonesiaS TNI Law revision: A Clash Between Openness and National Security?</span></h2><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Is Indonesia’s military reform process truly democratic, or does it risk undermining hard-won civil liberties?</strong><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Interviewer (Senior Editor, world-today-news.com):</strong> Dr. anya Sharma, esteemed expert in Southeast Asian political science and security studies, thank you for joining us today. Recent protests surrounding the revision of Indonesia’s TNI Law have highlighted a critical tension between national security concerns and the public’s right to participate in the legislative process.Can you shed light on this complex issue?<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Dr. Sharma:</strong> It’s a pleasure to be here. The protests surrounding the TNI Law revision are indeed symptomatic of a deeper concern: balancing the need for a strong,effective military with the basic principles of transparency and democratic accountability. Indonesia's history is marked by periods of military dominance and authoritarian rule, and the current debate stems from legitimate anxieties about a potential return to such practices. The closed-door nature of recent discussions understandably fueled concerns among civil society groups and activists.The question isn't merely about amending laws; it’s about the very process itself, and whether it truly reflects the will of the Indonesian people.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Interviewer:</strong> The protesters explicitly mentioned concerns about a potential resurgence of the ABRI dwifunction doctrine. Can you explain what that doctrine entailed and why its potential return is so alarming?<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Dr. Sharma:</strong> The ABRI dwifunction doctrine, which granted the Indonesian military (then known as ABRI) a dual role in both defense and civilian affairs, was a defining feature of Indonesia’s authoritarian past. This meant the military was involved not just in national security, but also in governance, advancement, and even business.This blurred the lines between military and civilian authority, leading to human rights abuses, political manipulation, and a notable erosion of democratic norms.The protests revealed a deep-seated fear that the TNI Law revisions, if not carefully managed, could inadvertently pave the way for a similar situation. <strong>The key takeaway here is that the fear isn't merely hypothetical; it's grounded in historical experience.</strong> Consequently, robust public engagement and transparency are crucial to preventing a repeat of such abuses.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Interviewer:</strong> The police have cited several articles of the Indonesian criminal Code in their investigation of the protest. Does this indicate an overly harsh response to legitimate concerns about the legislative process?<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Dr. Sharma:</strong> The application of several articles of the Criminal code, ranging from disturbing public order to coercion and threats, certainly warrants scrutiny. It's crucial to differentiate between peaceful protest and actions that genuinely disrupt public order. while the protesters' actions disrupted the meeting, it's important to understand their motivations. <strong>A fair assessment would consider the context of the protest: the perceived lack of transparency and the historical context surrounding military involvement in civilian affairs.</strong> An excessively harsh response could chill legitimate dissent and stifle public participation in crucial policy decisions. The police will need to carefully weigh the protesters’ rights to freedom of expression against any potential breach of public order.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>interviewer:</strong> How can Indonesia ensure that future legislative processes, particularly those involving national security, are more clear and inclusive?<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Dr. Sharma:</strong> Indonesia needs a multi-pronged approach to foster greater transparency and inclusivity. This includes:<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<em> <strong>Open and accessible public consultations:</strong> These should involve a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, academics, and experts, ensuring all voices are heard.<br /><br />\r\n</em> <strong>Autonomous oversight mechanisms:</strong> Establishing impartial bodies to monitor the legislative process and ensure compliance with democratic standards is crucial.<br /><br />\r\n<em> <strong>Strengthening media freedom and access to information:</strong> independent journalism is essential to hold those in power accountable.<br /><br />\r\n</em> <strong>Promoting a culture of open dialog and debate:</strong> Encouraging critical discourse on national security issues, even sensitive ones, is essential to building a truly democratic and resilient nation.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Interviewer:</strong> What are the potential consequences if Indonesia fails to address these concerns effectively?<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Dr. Sharma:</strong> A failure to engage in open dialogue and address the concerns of civil society could have several negative consequences. <strong>It could undermine public trust in the government, exacerbate social divisions, and embolden actors who seek to undermine democratic processes.</strong> Moreover, it could lead to a further escalation of social tensions, potentially resulting in more protests and unrest. Conversely, a commitment to transparency and inclusivity would enhance democratic legitimacy, strengthen national unity, and build a more secure and prosperous future for Indonesia.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Interviewer:</strong> Thank you, Dr.sharma, for this insightful and timely viewpoint.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Dr. Sharma:</strong> My pleasure.The events surrounding the TNI Law revision highlight a crucial tension that many democracies face.The path forward requires careful consideration of historical lessons and a firm commitment to democratic principles.<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<strong>Final thoughts:</strong> The debate regarding the TNI Law revision is far from over, and its resolution will have lasting implications for Indonesia's trajectory. What are your thoughts on balancing national security with democratic principles? Share your views in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #TNILawRevision #IndonesiaDemocracy. ?"> Submit