Background to the Revisions

These legislative changes enable Indonesian armed forces personnel to assume a broader range of civilian roles within the government, a move that some analysts are interpreting as a step backward towards past military dominance.

Critics fear that these alterations resemble a return to the authoritarian practices of the “New Order” regime, which was led by former President Suharto until his resignation in 1998.

Following the recent election, President Prabowo Subianto, an ex-special forces general and former son-in-law of Suharto, was inaugurated in October and has been a focal point of these discussions.

Defending the Amendments

Supporters of the law, including Indonesia’s Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, assert that the revisions are essential to tackle current domestic and global challenges, contesting claims of a military comeback.

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin echoed this sentiment in parliament, stating, “The geopolitical changes and global military technology require the military to transform … to face conventional and non-conventional conflicts.”

Key Changes Under the New Law

The amended legislation expands the roles active military personnel can hold, now permitting them to occupy positions that include:

• Attorney General’s office
• State Secretariat
• Counterterrorism Agency
• Narcotics Agency

Additionally, it raises the retirement age for current military officers, indicating a shift towards a more integrated military presence in civilian governance.

Parliamentary Approval and Public Response

The changes were swiftly passed by a parliament largely influenced by President Prabowo’s ruling coalition, culminating in a unanimous vote led by Speaker Puan Maharani, who asserted the law aligns with democratic principles and human rights.

However, Andreas Harsono, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, cautioned that this legislation signals an intention to restore military involvement in civilian matters, previously associated with significant rights abuses.

Concerns Within Civil Society

Political analyst Kennedy Muslim noted a concerning trend of militarization, suggesting that while public trust in the military remains relatively high, the new law threatens to undermine this confidence. “We’ve seen this creeping militarization for quite some time,” he stated.

Activists have voiced urgent concerns regarding the rapid legislative process surrounding these amendments, which they argue was conducted with a lack of transparency. In response, student organizations announce plans to protest, labeling the law as “democracy killing.”