The Indonesian parliament on Thursday approved an amendment to the armed forces law, granting military personnel the ability to hold a greater number of government positions. This move has faced criticism due to concerns that it could increase military influence in civilian affairs.
The revision, supported by President Prabowo Subianto’s coalition, broadens the military’s role beyond defense, representing a significant shift in a country where the armed forces have historically held substantial power.
This amendment has raised fears of a return to the authoritarian era of former president Suharto, under whom Prabowo served as a general. During Suharto’s rule, military officials occupied key government positions and played a crucial role in suppressing dissent.
“Now it’s the time for us to ask the factions to approve the amendment… can we agree to legalize it into a law?” House Speaker Puan Maharani stated during the plenary session.
The lawmakers responded with a resounding “agree,” after which Puan struck the gavel, officially passing the amendment.
Expanded Duties
Previously, under the 2004 military law, active-duty officers were limited to serving in only 10 government institutions, including the defense ministry. To assume positions in other state bodies, military personnel were required to resign or retire from service.
The revised law now extends this provision to 14 state institutions, including the Attorney General’s Office and the disaster mitigation agency. Military chief General Agus Subiyanto had earlier informed parliament that the existing law was outdated and no longer relevant.
Concerns Regarding Human Rights
Human rights groups have strongly opposed these changes, warning that they could enable the government to fill more civilian posts with active-duty military officers, potentially weakening democratic governance and legal oversight of abuses.
“President Prabowo appears determined to reinstate the Indonesian military’s role in civilian affairs, which were historically marked by widespread abuses and impunity,” Andreas Harsono, senior Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated in a release.
He further added that the government’s rapid approval of the amendments “undermines its stated commitment to human rights and accountability.”
