The establishment of the National Defence Council (DPN) as part of\nefforts to strengthen the national defence system has drawn critical\nnotes from several public policy and law researchers. The presence of\nthis new institution is regarded as requiring thorough scrutiny to avoid\ngovernance problems, ranging from potential inter-agency overlap to the\nlimits of executive function.<\/p>\n
These notes emerged during a discussion entitled \u201cQuestioning the\nNational Defence Council: The Dangers of Shifting Presidential Executive\nFunctions in the Design of National Defence\u201d held in Jakarta on\nWednesday, 20 May 2026.<\/p>\n
Public Policy and Governance researcher, Gian Kasogi, assessed that\nthe structure and institutional design of the DPN require clear\narticulation so its functions operate optimally without creating a new\npower centre that could blur the President\u2019s executive authority.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue with the DPN lies not only in its institutional design,\nwhich is not yet fully clear, but also in the potential for overlapping\npowers, provisions open to multiple interpretations, and the risk of\npoliticising defence institutions,\u201d Gian said.<\/p>\n
Gian warned of the need for caution to prevent a dualism in strategic\ndecision-making between the President, the Ministry of Defence\n(Kemenhan), the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), and Lemhannas if the\nDPN\u2019s powers were drafted too broadly.<\/p>\n
In particular, the position of Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin,\nwho has been mandated as the DPN\u2019s Acting Secretary, also drew scrutiny.\nGian argued that such a large responsibility requires strict oversight\nmechanisms and firm limits on authority to keep within a balanced\ngovernance framework. Moreover, the strategic defence sector often\nintersects with national political dynamics ahead of major political\nevents such as the 2029 Presidential Election.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the DPN may be formed in the name of strengthening national\ndefence, if in practice it opens space for concentration of power,\npoliticisation of institutions, and shifting of the President\u2019s\nexecutive functions, the public has the right to question and even\ncorrect it,\u201d added Gian.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Legal and Strategic Litigation Researcher, Syaiful\nHidayatullah, highlighted the post-reform institutional phenomenon prone\nto overlapping functions. He stated that strategic functions related to\ngeopolitics, geo-economics, and the challenges of technological warfare\nare already accommodated by existing ministries and agencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe emergence of the DPN will extend the overlap of powers among\nstate institutions in Indonesia\u2019s constitutional system. Looking at the\nmandate given, the DPN will shift the functions of Lemhannas,\u201d Syaiful\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He argued that if the focus is on geostrategy studies, Indonesia\nalready has the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,\nthe TNI High Command (Mabes TNI), BIN, and Lemhannas. For cyber security\nand technology, there is Kemkominfo (Ministry of Communication and\nInformation Technology), BSSN, and the cyber units of the TNI and\nPolri.<\/p>\n
Syaiful also offered his view on the overlapping role of Defence\nMinister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as Acting Executive Chair of the DPN. He\nbelieves this broadens the scope of defence sector development at scale,\nincluding programmes expanding its role touching civilian areas in\nvarious regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think only President Prabowo can halt the expansion of the role\nundertaken by Defence Minister Sjafrie, because all the positions held\nby Defence Minister Sjafrie represent divisions of political power from\nthe President,\u201d concluded Syaiful. (H-2)<\/p>\n
Fauzan Ohorella highlighted the need for strict oversight mechanisms\nand transparency within the DPN to ensure civilian supremacy in a\ndemocratic climate is maintained.<\/p>\n
One of the most notable concerns is the potential overlap of powers\nwith existing ministries and agencies.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Defence confirms protection of Indonesian soldiers in\nLebanon through the UN command system, with intensified mitigation steps\namid escalated security.<\/p>\n
There is alignment in momentum between the plan to transfer\nmanagement of TMPNU and the legislature\u2019s ongoing agenda.<\/p>\n
In addition to providing a borehole for daily needs, the government\nhas installed RO water purification machines.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-expected-to-help-monitor-national-defence-governance-1779543016", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }