Mon, 28 Aug 2000

Government to draft new defense bill

JAKARTA (JP): The drafting of a new bill on national defense will top the priority list of a joint agenda involving the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Ministry of Defense, TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists after the transfer of duty from former defense minister Juwono Sudarsono to his successor Mahfud MD here, Widodo said TNI was badly in need of a legal basis to undertake its jobs.

"Such a legal basis is important as we are going to implement the new People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree on the role and position of TNI and the National Police," Widodo said.

He further said that TNI Headquarters would closely cooperate with the newly installed defense minister, who is a constitutional law expert, in the drafting of the bill.

"The regulation will ensure that TNI could maintain its honor and professionalism," Widodo added.

TNI has repeatedly demanded a clear legal basis to conduct military operations, especially in handling the separatist movements in Aceh and Irian Jaya and the sectarian riots in Maluku.

Due to the absence of sufficient defense regulations, the adoption of a civil emergency status in Maluku on June 27 was based on the old Law No. 23/1959.

President Abdurrahman Wahid appointed Mahfud MD to replace Juwono with the purpose of laying the legal framework for the military to function in the modern and democratic era.

The draft law will cover some of the changes taking place in the defense field over the past 10 months, which has been marked by the separation of security affairs from defense and the ensuing split of the National Police from TNI.

Mahfud said on Saturday he was ready to work together with TNI Headquarters to draft the bill.

In his farewell speech, Juwono underlined the priorities of reinstating both TNI and the National Police as respectful institutions and providing clear authorities for each of the forces.

"In the future, there should be a law which specifies the authority of TNI and the National Police in accordance to the new amended Constitution and the related MPR decree," Juwono said. (dja)