Government to draft new defense bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The drafting of a new bill on national defense
\nwill top the priority list of a joint agenda involving the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) and the Ministry of Defense, TNI chief
\nAdm. Widodo A.S. said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after the transfer of duty from former
\ndefense minister Juwono Sudarsono to his successor Mahfud MD
\nhere, Widodo said TNI was badly in need of a legal basis to
\nundertake its jobs.<\/p>\n
\"Such a legal basis is important as we are going to implement
\nthe new People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree on the role
\nand position of TNI and the National Police,\" Widodo said.<\/p>\n
He further said that TNI Headquarters would closely cooperate
\nwith the newly installed defense minister, who is a
\nconstitutional law expert, in the drafting of the bill.<\/p>\n
\"The regulation will ensure that TNI could maintain its honor
\nand professionalism,\" Widodo added.<\/p>\n
TNI has repeatedly demanded a clear legal basis to conduct
\nmilitary operations, especially in handling the separatist
\nmovements in Aceh and Irian Jaya and the sectarian riots in
\nMaluku.<\/p>\n
Due to the absence of sufficient defense regulations, the
\nadoption of a civil emergency status in Maluku on June 27 was
\nbased on the old Law No. 23\/1959.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid appointed Mahfud MD to replace
\nJuwono with the purpose of laying the legal framework for the
\nmilitary to function in the modern and democratic era.<\/p>\n
The draft law will cover some of the changes taking place in
\nthe defense field over the past 10 months, which has been marked
\nby the separation of security affairs from defense and the
\nensuing split of the National Police from TNI.<\/p>\n
Mahfud said on Saturday he was ready to work together with TNI
\nHeadquarters to draft the bill.<\/p>\n
In his farewell speech, Juwono underlined the priorities of
\nreinstating both TNI and the National Police as respectful
\ninstitutions and providing clear authorities for each of the
\nforces.<\/p>\n
\"In the future, there should be a law which specifies the
\nauthority of TNI and the National Police in accordance to the new
\namended Constitution and the related MPR decree,\" Juwono said.
\n(dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-to-draft-new-defense-bill-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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