Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia Syaifullah Tamliha presents the Commission’s Report to the Speaker of the Indonesian House, Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani Monday (5/10/2020). Photo : Oji/Man

In a Plenary Session led by House Vice Speaker M. Aziz Syamsuddin, the House of Representatives finally passes the Bill on Defense Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Sweden into law.

The decision made after the representatives of Commission I of the Indonesian House and the government delivered their final view. “Based on the matters that we have discussed and reviewed together, allow me on behalf of the leaders to agree on the bill and pass it into law. Can we all agree?” asked Syamsuddin to the meeting participants who joined the meeting physically and virtually. Most of the representatives gave their agreement on Monday (5/10/2020).

Earlier in the meeting, Member of Commission I, Syaifullah Tamliha, who represented Commission I, reported that all factions in Commission I and the government agreed to bring forward the bill at the Second Stage of Deliberation, which is in the Plenary Session.

“Commission I invited experts and academicians to give inputs on the bill in a public hearing with the government held on 30 September 2020,” Tamliha said.

When delivering the government’s view on Indonesia-Sweden Defense Cooperation Bill, the Law and Human Right Minister Yasonna H. Laoly said that a form of defense diplomacy would establish cooperation in the defense sector with friendly countries, one of which is the cooperation with the Kingdom of Sweden. The passing of the bill into law would serve as a legal umbrella for the partnership in the defense sector between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Sweden.

“Adhering to its free and active foreign policy, Indonesia’s diplomacy also operationalizes creative, active and anticipatory principles. In addition, the principles also underlie the stance of undertaking routine activity, being reactive, firm, rational, and flexible,” stated Laoly while thanking to all parties involved in the deliberation of the bill.

The defense cooperation between Indonesia and the Kingdom of Sweden consist of seven points, including the exchange of information and experience on issues of common interests related to political, military, and international maritime security aspects.

The cooperation covers the development of cooperation in the defense industry particularly in the transfer of technology, joint research, production, marketing, and quality assurance. In addition, the development and enhancement of military exercise at all levels, including civilian personnel in the Defense Ministry, are also among the priorities to be concluded in the agreement.