September 18, 2025 | 03:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the Information Bureau of the Secretariat General at the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Frega Wenas, stated that the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in securing the House of Representatives (DPR) building is part of their assistance task to the police. He mentioned that the task is aimed at ensuring the smooth running of security situations following the wave of protests at the end of last August.
The Civil Society Coalition has criticized the military's involvement in guarding the DPR building. They urged the government to immediately withdraw soldiers from duty at the legislative institution and to prioritize military reform.
Frega urges people not to view the involvement of the TNI in securing the DPR building as an attempt to take over state installations. "I emphasize that there is absolutely no intention to implement martial law," he said at the Ministry of Defense office in Jakarta on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
He mentioned that the request for assistance in securing the DPR building was conveyed by the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, at the end of last August. Based on this request, he said, TNI soldiers were deployed to help secure the legislative building.
"We are assisting in maintaining the security, comfort, and stability of the country," he said.
In addition, Frega mentioned that the TNI's involvement in securing the DPR building aims to prevent disturbances that threaten the nation's integrity, whether internal or external.
He is concerned that such disturbances have the potential to provoke incidents similar to those that occurred during the riots. "Conflict affects the economy. If the economy is disrupted, it will certainly have widespread effects," he said.
He also mentioned President Prabowo Subianto's directive to improve the people's welfare. According to him, this directive can be achieved by maintaining the stability and security as carried out by the country's defense institutions.
The DPR complex is still guarded by military personnel following the massive protests at the end of August 2025. The demands of the mass action include the dissolution of the legislative institution. Several TNI personnel are still observed keeping their troops in the DPR building until mid-September.
Despite the absence of demonstrations, a number of TNI tactical vehicles are still parked in the Parliament building courtyard.
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