Indonesia Approves Military Law Changes Sparking Concerns of Authoritarianism

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Indonesia’s parliament has approved controversial amendments to military law that will permit armed forces personnel to assume an expanded role in civilian government. This decision has ignited fears among activists and political analysts about a potential resurgence of military dominance reminiscent of the era of former President Suharto, who ruled with an iron fist from 1967 until his resignation in 1998.

The updated law allows active military officers to hold positions across various governmental bodies, including the attorney general’s office, the state secretariat, the counterterrorism agency, and the narcotics agency. The amendments were passed by a plenary session of parliament dominated by President Prabowo Subianto‘s ruling coalition on Thursday.

“The geopolitical changes and global military technology require the military to transform to face conventional and non-conventional conflicts,” said Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during a parliamentary debate, asserting the necessity of the revisions amid shifting international dynamics.

Activists have voiced strong opposition to the amendments, with concerns that they mark a return to the oppressive military governance of the “New Order” era. “President Prabowo appears intent on restoring the Indonesian military’s role in civilian affairs, which were long characterised by widespread abuses and impunity,” stated a senior Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The government’s rush to adopt these amendments undercuts its expressed commitment to human rights and accountability.”

The revised law also raises the retirement age for sitting officers and broadens the scope of civilian roles accessible to military personnel. Prior to this legislation, active-duty soldiers were limited to positions in the defense ministry and the state intelligence agency.

“We’ve seen this creeping militarisation for quite some time, which is why civil society is right to be alarmed by this trend,” remarked Kennedy Muslim, a political analyst with Indikator. “However, I think the concern that this is a return to the New Order is quite overblown at the moment.”

Polls indicate that Indonesia’s military historically enjoys a high level of public trust, but analysts warn that these new legal provisions could potentially erode that confidence. Activists have criticized the expedited legislative process as lacking transparency and have expressed concerns about public input being ignored.

In anticipation of the law’s passage, student organizations have already announced plans for protests in Jakarta, with some students taking a stand outside parliament leading up to the vote. “This law is democracy killing,” proclaimed one student group. Following the approval, minor skirmishes were reported as police intervened to manage remaining protesters.

In light of the widespread opposition, the ruling coalition defended the need for the amendments, insisting they are essential for national security. Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas dismissed claims that the changes symbolize a return to military authoritarianism, stressing that they are a necessary response to contemporary challenges.

As tensions rise between the government and civil society, the implications of these legal changes remain to be seen, with many indignant voices calling for accountability and protection of democratic principles within the framework of Indonesian governance.