National Security Draft Bill
Friday, 02 February, 2007 | 13:33 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Professor Muladi, National Resilience Agency (Lemhanas) Governor, is of the opinion that the election of Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander and National Police (Polri) Chief must still involve the House of Representatives (DPR).

“I believe that the House’s voice must be heard,” he said in his office, yesterday (1/2).

Muladi said that this was related with the polemic about National Security Draft Bill which is being socialized by the Defense Department.

One article in the bill says that president has the authority to elect and inaugurate the TNI Commander and the Polri Chief without the House’s approval.

Sidarto Danusubroto, a member of the House Defense Commission from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, said he regarded that this article violated the TNI Law and the Police Law.

Djoko Susilo from National Mandate Party (PAN) faction also said he considered that several articles in the draft bill could create opportunities for a potential coup d’etat.

Previously, Muladi had said he would prefer for the TNI and the police to be under one department’s control.

He proposed that the current Defense Department be transformed into Defense and Security Department.

Dian Yuliastuti