Indonesia Expands Military’s Role, Raising Fears of Democratic Erosion

In a nation that has endured military brutality and struggled to reclaim democracy, fears of a return to military-dominated governance are once again resurfacing. Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, stands at a critical juncture. President Prabowo Subianto—an ex-special forces general and former son-in-law of Suharto, the country’s longtime autocrat—has ratified contentious amendments to military law, expanding the role of armed forces personnel in civilian governance. This shift raises concerns that Indonesia could be inching back toward military dominance, reminiscent of the New Order era, when the armed forces wielded sweeping political power under Suharto’s rule.

The controversial revision

Indonesia’s parliament has passed sweeping revisions to the country’s military law, expanding the presence of active-duty military personnel in civilian government roles. The new legislation increases the number of agencies where military members can serve from 10 to 14, adding institutions such as disaster mitigation and the attorney general’s office. Previously, officers seeking civilian posts outside a select group—including the defense ministry and state intelligence agency—were required to resign or retire from military service.

The revisions further extend these privileges to key government bodies, including the state secretariat, the counterterrorism agency, and the narcotics agency. Additionally, the law raises the retirement age for officers, a change critics argue deepens military influence in governance.

The amendments were approved on Thursday in a plenary session led by a parliament dominated by President Prabowo Subianto’s ruling coalition. Speaker Puan Maharani presided over the unanimous vote, asserting that the revisions uphold democratic principles and human rights—claims that activists and political analysts have met with deep skepticism.

What the government says

Indonesia’s law minister, Supratman Andi Agtas, has rejected concerns that the revised law signals a return to the military dominance of the Suharto era, insisting that the changes are necessary to address domestic and geopolitical challenges. Defending the amendments, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told parliament that shifting geopolitical dynamics and advancements in global military technology require the armed forces to adapt to both conventional and unconventional threats.

Despite initially opposing the revisions, the main opposition party ultimately endorsed them—a decision critics argue undermines democracy and reflects the growing political alignment in favor of Prabowo since his election last year.

What Critics Say

Critics contend that President Prabowo is intent on reinstating the military’s influence in civilian affairs, arguing that the swift passage of these amendments undermines the government’s stated commitment to human rights and accountability. The bill was approved in under two months after the president formally requested the amendment, raising concerns over the hasty legislative process and lack of transparency.

The creeping militarization of government has been apparent for some time, reinforcing fears within civil society. However, some argue that warnings of a full-scale return to the New Order era may be overstated.

Student organizations have vowed to protest outside parliament in Jakarta, with one group condemning the law as a threat to democracy. By Thursday evening, nearly a thousand protesters had gathered, holding banners as police officers and military personnel maintained a heavy presence around them.

Undermining Democracy

Despite 25 years of efforts to curb military influence in politics and governance, local human rights watchdog Imparsial found that nearly 2,600 active-duty officers were already serving in civilian roles even before the latest legal revisions. The recent changes further entrench military presence in government under Prabowo.

During Suharto’s rule, the armed forces exercised a dual function, controlling both security and administrative affairs—a structure many see mirrored in Prabowo’s legislative amendments. Critics warn that his presidency could erode Indonesia’s hard-won but fragile democracy. Since taking office last October, he has already expanded the military’s role in public affairs. His flagship $4 billion free-meal program for children and pregnant women, for instance, relies on logistical support from the armed forces. Given these developments, concerns over growing military influence appear well-founded.