Indonesia Passes Controversial Military Bill Amid Growing Protests

Not without protest, the Indonesian parliament passed a controversial revision of its military law on Thursday, March 20, allowing greater opportunities for military officers to hold civilian positions. The decision has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups opposed to it for fear that it would threaten democratic achievements and might reignite the ghosts of Suharto’s authoritarianism.

With the amended Bill, passed unanimously in a plenary session led by Puan Maharani, now considered to give the military greater input into civilian affairs, the changes are supporting democratic principles and human rights, are being vehemently opposed with claims of potential loss of civilian control over the military

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander under Suharto, has been expanding military domain into civilian territory since his election last October. One of his key programs for free food for children was also with military cooperation.

Human rights groups suspect that such positions will be an opportunity for officers to abuse power without accountability. They’re fearful that it might reincarnate the days when the military was a powerful player in government and business.

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The government has countered the concerns by having made it clear that military personnel must resign before being appointed to civilian posts in the government, such as at the state secretariat and the Attorney General’s Office. Also, lawmakers assured that military officers will not be allowed to join state-owned enterprises, thus lessening worries regarding military involvement in business.

These reassurances, however, have not stopped student activists and pro-democracy groups from organizing demonstrations outside the Parliament building in Jakarta, where they will oppose the passing of the law and demand stricter civilian control of the military.