<![CDATA[The principle of meaningful participation constitutes an essential requirement in the formation of democratic legislation. The enactment of Law Number 3 of 2025 amending Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has generated significant debate regarding the quality of public participation and the use of defense secrecy as a justification during the legislative process. This research focuses on the implementation of the principle of meaningful participation in the amendment of the TNI Law and its intersection with defense secrecy in the law-making process. This study employs a normative legal research method using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Primary and secondary legal materials are analyzed qualitatively to develop a comprehensive legal understanding of the issues examined. The findings reveal that public participation in the amendment process of the TNI Law did not fully satisfy the standards of meaningful participation established by the Constitutional Court, particularly concerning the rights to be heard (right to be heard), to be considered (right to be considered), and to receive explanations (right to be explained). Limited access to legislative documents and deliberative proceedings resulted in public involvement that was largely procedural rather than substantive. Furthermore, the invocation of defense secrecy during the legislative process extended beyond tactical and strategic military information to encompass matters of public policy that should remain open to public scrutiny. Such circumstances have the potential to restrict public participation, weaken the principle of civilian supremacy, and diminish the democratic legitimacy of the legislative process.]]>
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