Indonesia's New Military Law Sparks Protests Amid Fears of Democratic Erosion

Indonesia's parliament has passed contentious revisions to military law, allowing active military personnel to influence civilian governance, prompting protests and raising alarms over potential threats to democratic principles.

Indonesia's parliament has recently enacted contentious revisions to its military law, leading to greater military involvement in government functions. Critics argue that this shift harks back to the nation's authoritarian period under Suharto's regime, which ended in 1998. Empowered by President Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander with close ties to Suharto, the amendments permit military officers to occupy governmental positions without having to retire from their military duties.

Protests erupted outside parliament as pro-democracy activists expressed their outrage. Many believe these changes severely undermine the essence of democracy in Indonesia. "The military must not participate in politics, but manage national defense instead," argued Wilson, a prominent activist and member of the Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared (KontraS). He claimed that the parliament’s actions signify a severe blow to the democratic progress made since the late 1990s.

The revised law broadens the scope of military personnel permitted to hold office, increasing the limit from 10 to 14 civilian institutions, and raises the retirement age for higher-ranking officers. Protesters, now numbering nearly a thousand, rallied against the perceived militarization of governance, waving banners with slogans like "Return the military to the barracks!" and "Against militarism and oligarchy."

Human rights organizations, including Imparsial, indicated that prior to the law revisions, thousands of active-duty officers were already serving in civilian roles, suggesting a long-standing trend of military influence in governance. Dedi Dinarto, an analyst, described the changes as indicative of a significant consolidation of power under Prabowo, which could potentially redirect policy focus from civil liberties to state stability.

With the backdrop of past political violence, many Indonesians view Prabowo's ascent with concern. Since taking office, he has expanded military presence within public projects, including a $4 billion free-meal initiative, further blending civilian and military domains.

Defending the changes, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin cited evolving global military needs, while critics warn that these amendments threaten impartiality in governance. Rights advocates argue that if active military personnel influence the justice system, accountability may be compromised, presenting a troubling prospect for long-term human rights protection in Indonesia.

Despite the legal changes, activists like Sukma Ayu vow to resist and continue the fight for democratic integrity. “Our struggle won't end because the law has been passed. We will occupy the 'house of the people' until we achieve victory," she declared, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to uphold democratic values in Indonesia.