TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Civil groups criticize military involvement in drug enforcement
The proposed Indonesian Military (TNI) amendment bill has sparked criticism from civil society groups, who argue that involving the military in drug enforcement contradicts the spirit of reform. They warn that this move could revive the military's dual-function role and threaten democracy.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Defense Minister Sjafri Sjamsoeddin (second left) sits with Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtar (right), Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto (second right) and First Deputy State Secretary Bambang Eko Suharyanto (left) on March 11, 2025, during a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission I overseeing military affairs at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta. During the meeting, the government representatives discuss about the revision of the 2004 Indonesian Military (TNI) Law. (Antara/Dhemas Reviyanto)
T
he deliberation of the Indonesian Military (TNI) amendment bill at the House of Representatives continues to draw criticism from various civil society groups who argue that the proposed draft is not in line with the spirit of reform.
One of the most criticized proposals is the military’s involvement in handling drug abuse.
According to the issues inventory list of the amendment bill, this provision is stated in Article 7, Paragraph 2, Point 17, legitimizing the military's role in assisting the government to tackle drug abuse, precursors and other addictive substances — a stipulation not included in the original Law No. 34/2004 on the TNI.
Ma'ruf Bajammal, public counsel at the Community Legal Aid Institute, said that drug policy is a civil matter that should be managed using a science-based health approach.
“There is no justification for military intervention in drug enforcement,” Ma'ruf said on Wednesday, as reported by tempo.co.
Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) chairman Muhammad Isnur echoed these concerns, warning that military involvement in drug enforcement could revive the military's dual-function issues and threaten democracy.
Instead, Isnur urged the government to drop the proposal and adopt a science-based health approach to drug policy.
