DPD Chairman: Social Welfare is the Foundation of National Resilience
The Regional Representative Council (DPD) of Indonesia has stressed that revisions to the Social Welfare Bill must be designed as a strategic instrument to strengthen national resilience. One crucial point proposed for inclusion in the draft revision is clearer regulations on the management of Heroes’ Cemeteries (TMP) through cross-ministerial collaboration.
This emerged during a meeting between DPD Chairman Sultan Baktiar Najamudin and Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan and Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono at the DPD Building, Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
Sultan emphasised that social welfare cannot be separated from national stability. In his view, a resilient state must be able to guarantee comprehensive protection for its people.
“Social welfare is the main foundation of national resilience. A strong state is not only measured by its military strength, but by how far the state can guarantee the protection and welfare of its people,” said Sultan.
In the meeting, the issue of TMP management became a strategic focus. Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan revealed the need for a more integrated regulatory framework between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Defence in managing heroes’ graves.
Donny stated that the two ministries have reached an agreement to incorporate norms for joint TMP management into the articles of the revised Social Welfare Bill.
“In addition to discussing the revision of the Social Welfare Bill, we also propose that TMP management be explicitly included in the bill’s articles, as part of the state’s respect for the heroes and the strengthening of national values. This has been agreed upon with the Ministry of Social Affairs and received support from the DPD,” said Donny.
In line with the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono emphasised the importance of legal certainty to avoid overlapping authorities in the future. This step is also seen as aligning with the President’s directives to make institutional governance more effective.
“Through the revision of the Social Welfare Law, we want to ensure legal certainty in TMP management, including inter-ministerial collaboration schemes, so that in the future it no longer causes problems,” said Agus.
Responding to the government’s proposal, Chairman of the DPD’s Legislative Design Committee (PPUU), Abdul Kholik, expressed readiness to follow up on the substance in the legislative process. The DPD is committed to pushing this revision into national discussion priorities.
“Technically, the Social Welfare Bill has been prepared by us. Proposals related to TMP management will be included as additional substance in the revision, and we will push for it to enter national legislative discussion priorities,” stressed Abdul Kholik.