The regression of TNI reform has become increasingly evident during the first nine months of the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Following the placement of TNI personnel in civilian positions, non-compliance with Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), and the lack of meaningful participation and the still-fragile substance of the proposed revisions to the TNI Law, this regression has been further prolonged by the reinstatement of Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy to active military status. He had previously been appointed as CEO of Bulog via Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises Decree No. SK-30/MBU/02/2025 dated February 7, 2025.
This reinstatement to active military status further highlights non-compliance with the TNI Act. Not only does it involve the appointment to the position of Director General of Bulog—which, incidentally, is not among the civilian positions that active-duty military personnel are permitted to hold—but it also sets a bad precedent for institutional governance and fuels public confusion. This is because, following public criticism of the appointment of Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy as CEO of Bulog in early February 2025, rather than rescinding the appointment, the TNI responded by stating that Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy was in the process of resigning from active military service.
However, when this return to active military status came under public scrutiny, the TNI responded differently. The TNI Spokesperson explained—as reported by various media outlets—that Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy’s assignment to Bulog was a directive from the TNI and part of the TNI’s support for government policy.
In addition to reflecting a misinterpretation of appointments to civilian positions, this explanation could also lead to the assumption that, during his tenure as CEO of Bulog, Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy had not taken early retirement, as mandated by the TNI Law and as stated by the TNI in its response to the controversy surrounding that appointment. Under these circumstances, Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy had merely switched uniforms temporarily.
Regarding this issue, the SETARA Institute offers the following comments:
- The reinstatement of Lt. Gen. Novi Helmy to active military status after he had held a civilian position is a clear example of a multi-layered regression in reform. This violates the 2004 TNI Law (his appointment took place in February 2025, before the TNI Law was revised), given that the position of Director General of Bulog is not included in Article 47(2), combined with the reinstatement of status that could violate retirement provisions as mandated by Article 47(1) of the TNI Law regarding the holding of civilian positions by TNI personnel. Referring to the explanatory notes for Article 55(c) of the TNI Law, upon retirement, a member of the TNI is considered to have completed their military service and is set to return to civilian life. The reinstatement of active military status after retirement could also set a precedent that disrupts future internal regeneration within the TNI if implemented without clear regulations.
- The explanation by the Head of the TNI Public Information Center that this appointment constitutes an assignment from the TNI institution has the potential to conflict with the TNI Law. If the framework for this appointment does indeed require compliance with the TNI Law—specifically Article 47, paragraph (1)—then the TNI member in question must retire from military service in order to assume the position of Director General of Bulog. The consequence of such retirement is a change in status from military personnel to civilian. Consequently, the chain of command and the TNI’s institutional representation become irrelevant, as the individual has become part of the relevant civilian authority.
- The explanation by the Head of the TNI Public Information Center—that one of the considerations for reinstating Lieutenant General Novi Helmy, a TNI officer, to active military duty was based on organizational needs and personnel development—could imply the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the placement of TNI personnel in various civilian positions. This evaluation is also necessary to ensure that the TNI’s organizational posture remains intact and that this precedent is not repeated. Article 11 of the TNI Law specifically mandates that the TNI’s posture be established and prepared as part of the nation’s defense posture to address any military or armed threats.
Within the framework of TNI reform and compliance with the TNI Law, these various regressive practices and policies should be evaluated, both by the President and by the TNI Commander-in-Chief. This is because the TNI’s support for government policies should remain within the framework of TNI reform and the TNI Law.
Contact:
- Ikhsan Yosarie – Human Rights and Security Sector Researcher at the SETARA Institute
- Merisa Dwi Juanita – Human Rights and Security Sector Researcher at the SETARA Institute