Jakarta: Indonesia’s parliament on Thursday approved a controversial amendment to the armed forces law, allowing military officers to hold more government positions. The decision, backed by President Prabowo Subianto’s coalition, has sparked concerns about the growing influence of the military in civilian affairs.
The amendment enables active-duty military personnel to serve in 14 state institutions, including the attorney general’s office and the disaster mitigation agency. Previously, the law, which was enacted in 2004, restricted military officers to 10 government agencies, primarily within the defence sector. Under the earlier regulations, military personnel were required to retire or resign before assuming civilian posts in government institutions.
House Speaker Puan Maharani led the parliamentary session where the amendment was passed. “Now it’s time for us to ask the factions to approve the amendment… can we agree to legalise it into a law?” she asked. Lawmakers responded with a collective “agree,” followed by Puan’s gavel strike, signifying its passage.
Critics argue that the revision marks a step backward for Indonesia, rekindling fears of a return to the era of late dictator Suharto, under whom Prabowo served as a general. Suharto’s regime was notorious for using military personnel to suppress dissent and exert control over civilian institutions.
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Human rights groups have strongly opposed the move, warning that it risks increasing impunity and weakening civilian oversight of the military.
“President Prabowo appears intent on restoring the Indonesian military’s role in civilian affairs, which were long characterised by widespread abuses and impunity,” said Andreas Harsono, senior Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The government’s rush to adopt these amendments undercuts its expressed commitment to human rights and accountability.”
Military chief General Agus Subiyanto defended the amendment, stating that the 2004 law was outdated and no longer aligned with the country’s current needs. He had urged lawmakers to update the legislation to reflect Indonesia’s evolving governance structure.
The amendment is seen as a significant shift in the balance of civil-military relations in Indonesia, a country that has spent decades trying to separate military influence from civilian governance. Observers warn that the expansion of military roles in government could erode democratic norms and diminish civilian control over state institutions.
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