Government to draft new defense bill

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)