Protests Erupt in Indonesia Over Military Law Amendment

Jakarta, March 23, 2025 – Hundreds of furious demonstrators gathered outside Indonesia’s Parliament in Jakarta yesterday to protest a controversial amendment to the country’s military law. The new legislation grants the Indonesian military an expanded role in civilian affairs, sparking fears of a return to the authoritarian rule seen under former dictator Suharto.

Indonesia’s Parliament voted to allow active-duty military personnel to assume positions in government offices, including the Attorney General’s office and the State Secretariat. This decision has ignited public outrage, with critics warning that the move undermines democratic reforms established after Suharto’s fall in 1998.

As the law was passed, protests outside the Parliament building turned violent. Many Indonesians fear history is repeating itself, drawing parallels to the military’s dominant role during Suharto’s 32-year rule.

Memories of a Dark Past

During Suharto’s reign, the military blurred the lines between civilian governance and armed control, enforcing a brutal regime under the guise of the ‘New Order’ (Orde Baru). Human rights violations were rampant, with military impunity shielding perpetrators from justice.

“The fight to remove the military from the socio-political sphere was arduous. We sacrificed so much. Students were killed, thousands died in the May 1998 tragedy, and activists were kidnapped—some never returned home,” said one protester. “Today, it feels like we are going backwards.”

Suharto was eventually ousted following deadly riots in May 1998, which claimed thousands of lives. His departure paved the way for democratic reforms aimed at curbing military influence in politics. However, activists now fear that the latest amendment is undoing those hard-won changes.

Backing from the President

The amendment has the backing of Indonesia’s President, Prabowo Subianto, who won the 2024 presidential election in a landslide victory. Prabowo, a former military general and son-in-law of Suharto, campaigned as a benevolent leader but has faced criticism for his past ties to the dictator’s regime.

With his administration pushing to reinstate military involvement in civilian governance, many Indonesians believe their democratic freedoms are at risk. “It seems like ordinary Indonesians will have to march again to send the military back to the barracks,” a protester remarked.

The opposition has vowed to challenge the law in court, while human rights groups warn that its implementation could lead to increased suppression of dissent. As protests continue to escalate, the future of Indonesia’s democracy hangs in the balance.