The Indonesian parliament has ratified a controversial revision to the armed forces law, allowing military personnel to occupy more government positions, despite widespread criticism that it could undermine civilian governance, Al Jazeera reports.
The move has ignited concerns about a resurgence of military influence reminiscent of the authoritarian rule of former President Soeharto.
The revised law, passed on Thursday, was championed by President Prabowo Subianto’s coalition and aims to broaden the military’s scope within the country. Critics, including civil society organizations, warn that the amendments could usher in a new era of military dominance in civilian affairs, potentially leading to abuse of power and a rollback of democratic reforms.
The new law expands the number of government agencies where active military officers can serve from the previous limit of 10 to 14. These now include prominent institutions such as the Attorney General’s Office, the State Secretariat, and the Counterterrorism Agency. Furthermore, the revision extends the retirement age for sitting officers, further solidifying their presence in the government.
President Subianto, a former special forces commander under Soeharto who assumed office last October, has been a proponent of increasing the military’s role in areas traditionally held by civilians. This includes his signature policy of providing free meals for children, which now involves the armed forces in logistical and distribution aspects.
News of the ratification has sparked public outrage, with numerous democracy groups announcing plans for demonstrations in Jakarta. On Wednesday evening, a group of students staged a protest outside the parliament building, but were later dispersed.
