Indonesia’s parliament approved controversial military legislation changes that allow the soldiers to take civilian positions. Civil society groups fear a return to military rule like the “New Order” under previous President Suharto and have criticized the proposal.
The Thursday bill authorizes military officers to work in the Attorney General’s Office, state secretariat, and counterterrorism agencies as civilians. Critics say the revisions might reverse decades of civilian control and allow military overreach.
Activists fear this change will revert to military rule, when the military controlled practically all elements of Indonesian governance. The 1967–1998 Suharto rule integrated the military in government functions, often bypassing civilian supervision.
Speaker Puan Maharani told the plenary that the bill’s modifications were democratic and human rights-based. However, rights groups including Human Rights Watch have warned about human rights breaches, power abuses, and impunity due to increased military engagement.
Former special forces general and Suharto son-in-law Prabowo Subianto defends the law. He said the bill was needed for domestic and worldwide military issues. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin agreed, noting that the changing geopolitical situation and demand for sophisticated military equipment require a stronger force.
Before the law, military personnel could only work in the defense ministry or intelligence services. Officers can now work in the Attorney General’s Office, narcotics agencies, and the state secretariat under the new law. Military retirement age is also raised by the law.
Some say these reforms are vital for national security, but others worry they are militarizing civilian matters. Even though public opinion surveys show strong support for the military, political expert Kennedy Muslim warned that the measure could damage popular trust in the military.
Critics have questioned the legislative process’s transparency after the bill passed two months after President Prabowo presented it.
Dissatisfied students and democracy supporters plan to demonstrate outside parliament in Jakarta. Student groups have called the measure “democracy killing” and vowed to resist.
Students protested outside the legislative building before the vote, demanding that the government remove military members from civilian jobs. Many demonstrators stayed despite police attempts to disperse them. Military men were called in to secure the vote.
As the bill advances, questions about its effects mount. Rights groups and political observers are waiting to see if the bill weakens Indonesia’s democracy or restores military rule.
