TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - DKI Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, more popularly known as Jokowi, announced his approval of the military reserves bill that states Indonesian citizens must undergo mandatory military service. He stated that if civil servants in DKI Jakarta are obliged to enlist in the military, he will fully support it.
However, he believes that civil servants should not be the only ones who are obliged to participate in this program. Members and activists of community organizations and political parties must also be included.
The mandatory military service being discussed by the House of Representatives (DPR) for the bill only states that civil servants and citizens aged 18 and above must participate. Jokowi believes that conscription is crucial and must be backed by the law.
The military reserves bill has been discussed by the parliament since 2002 yet up until now, they have not managed to come to an agreement.
RUCITRA DEASY FADILA