Member of Commission I Sukamta speaks at the working meeting in Parliamentary Compound, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/9/2020). Photo: Naifuroji/Man

Several Members of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives raised the issue of soldiers’ welfare at the working meeting with Defense Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Communication and Informatics Ministry. During the meeting, it was revealed that the motive behind clashes that frequently occurred between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (POLRI) is often because of welfare gap. Therefore, the government is expected to find solution to improve the welfare of soldiers. 

“In responding to call of duty, TNI’s commitment is extraordinary, but we find it that it does not have a direct impact on the soldiers’ welfare. I was hoping it is getting better now. However, until the end of last year, their meal allowance and severance pay after leaving their duty are still using the standard price of goods and services used before the reform era. I think, probably, the standard price of goods and services used today is the standard used when the Defense Minister was still Commander of Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus),” stated Member of Commission I Sukamta in Parliamentary Compound, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/9/2020) 

The politician from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said that he is concerned with the phenomenon of feud between TNI and POLRI which often has the motive of welfare gap behind it. He expressed his hope that both institutions can have equal welfare. 

“One of the things that is often complained of is jealousy. It does not mean that we must reduce the welfare of one party to strike a balance, but we encourage and hope that the TNI welfare can be improved fast to eliminate the gap. If this is the main reason, then there is nothing that we can do to reconcile them if this jealousy problem is not resolved. Clashes can easily break out at any time,” said Sukamta. 

In line with that, another Member of Commission I Yan Permenas Mandenas also hoped that the issue on soldiers’ welfare would be the top priority of the Defense Ministry. He also added that it is necessary to distinguish between the welfare of the soldiers who serve in Papua and the soldiers who serve elsewhere as each region has a different level of expensiveness. 

“We hope that soldiers’ welfare should become a list of priority among the three issues to be discussed with the Defense Ministry in finding a solution. We need to encourage equalization between the TNI and the National Police. This should be a top priority for TNI Headquarter in the future,” said the politician of Great Indonesian Movement (Gerindra) Party. 

Meanwhile, Sturman Panjaitan, a Member of the House’s Commission I overseeing defense asked the Defense Ministry to immediately prepare a TNI operational budget review that is adapted according to the soldiers’ assignment area. “A different review must be prepared. One review cannot fit all (soldiers’ specific needs),” said the politician of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Party.  

In his response, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Deputy Defense Minister expressed his concern on the fact about the TNI welfare. However, the welfare has been regulated and set forth by Finance Ministry. He went on to say that his institution did not want to exceed the budget that had been decided by the ministry. 

Trenggono further explained that the Defense Minister is currently seeking for the right way to improve TNI welfare. Therefore, he asked the House’s support to help address the issue.