In brief
Amid widespread protests, Indonesia's Parliament passed a contentious law allowing military officers to occupy more civilian posts, a move critics suggest reflects the country's authoritarian past under former dictator Suharto.
Indonesia's Parliament made waves on Thursday by approving a controversial law amendment that permits a significant increase in military officers filling civilian roles, triggering protests and raising alarms about a potential backslide into authoritarianism. The legislation passed without dissent, championed by lawmakers allied with President Prabowo Subianto, a former general with ties to the Suharto regime.The parliament's decision comes on the heels of Prabowo's significant electoral victory last year, which has intensified concerns regarding Indonesia’s democratic trajectory. His previous dismissal from the military for the abduction of political dissidents in the late 1990s has further fueled public fears that Indonesia could revert to its authoritarian roots.Under the new amendments, military personnel will be positioned in various civilian offices, including the attorney general's office, amid claims from the government that these changes are necessary to adapt the army to both conventional and nonconventional threats. The current law, established in 2004, limited military influence in governance, marking an end to the "dual function" era that allowed military involvement in politics.Despite assurances from Speaker Puan Maharani that the revised law adheres to democratic principles, rights advocates argue that it undermines civil liberties and has been rushed through without adequate engagement from civil society. Protests erupted outside the Parliament in Jakarta, with demonstrators promoting the slogan “Return soldiers to the barracks.” This discontent culminates from growing sentiment that public control over state institutions is diminishing, leading to increased centralization of power.More than 12,000 signatures were collected by civil society organizations opposing the legislation, highlighting widespread dissent. Critics assert the new law serves only the interests of military elites and compliant politicians, further jeopardizing the nation’s hard-won democratic freedoms. The passing of this law could spark significant political and social upheaval in the days to come, as citizen engagement and pushback intensify against perceived authoritarian maneuvers from those in power.
