Jakarta. General Maruli Simanjuntak, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, suggested that soldiers be allowed to take on side jobs, noting that many members of the military currently need additional income and are turning to online ride-hailing services (online ojek).

"As long as it does not interfere with their primary duties as soldiers, it should not be prohibited. The economic needs of our soldiers are significant, including the costs of their children's education," Maruli said at the Army Headquarters in Jakarta on Monday.

"As long as they show up for duty and perform well, a couple of hours driving for a ride-hailing service should be fine," he added.

However, Maruli emphasized that soldiers engaged in such activities must still attend morning and evening roll calls. "We have our morning roll call, and anyone missing would be noticed immediately. It's not like they can just take time off to drive for a ride-hailing service," he explained.

Currently, the Parliament and the government are discussing a draft bill on the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Regarding the proposal for soldiers to engage in business, Maruli noted that specific limitations and regulations would need to be established.

"These regulations need to be discussed. But if the law ultimately says it's not allowed, the Army will comply with that rule," Maruli affirmed.

Additionally, the Army Chief assured that the institution would not tolerate any involvement in illegal business activities by its members.

Indonesia officially banned its military from engaging in business activities with the enactment of Law No. 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian Military (TNI). This law explicitly prohibited the military from conducting business operations and required the transfer of all military-owned businesses to civilian control by 2009. The ban aimed to enhance military professionalism, reduce corruption, and ensure the military's focus on national defense and security.

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