5 hours ago
8
March 18, 2025 | 07:13 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to pass contentious revisions to a military law this week that will allow armed forces personnel to hold more civilian posts, a move that has triggered concern in a country once dominated by its all-powerful military.
The changes were approved on Tuesday by the house committee overseeing military, defense and foreign policy and according to lawmakers will be put to a wider vote on Thursday of parliament, which is controlled by President Prabowo Subianto's coalition.
Democracy groups have derided the proposed amendments, saying they could herald the return of Indonesia's 1967-1998 "New Order" era of the late strongman President Suharto, who stacked his governments with generals and routinely crushed dissent.
Prabowo, a former defense minister and special forces commander who served under Suharto and was once his son-in-law, has expanded the armed forces' role since taking power in October after winning the presidential election by a big margin.
The bill includes a change introduced into a later draft requiring military officers to resign before assuming civilian roles, said Gavriel Putra Novanto who presided over the committee's meeting.
Current laws allow active soldiers to hold posts in organizations such as the defense ministry and state intelligence agency.
The new draft adds more state agencies to the list, including the attorney general's office, the state secretariat, the counter-terrorism agency and the narcotics agency, Gavriel said. It also extends sitting officers' retirement age.
The latest draft of the bill has not been made available to the public. Prabowo's office has denied it could usher in a second "New Order" era.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said the revision was necessary due to current domestic and geopolitical challenges.
Rights groups have also complained the deliberations on the bill were rushed. On Saturday, some activists went to a Jakarta hotel to protest the bill while it was being discussed by lawmakers, accusing them of ignoring and failing to seek public input.
Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, parliament's deputy speaker, denied the bill was being rushed through and said lawmakers had been transparent.
Editor's Choice: Imparsial Reports on TNI Law Revision Promises
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: A Guide to 5-Day Bali Itinerary: Top Activities and Must-See Spots
1 menit lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today, March 18, 2025.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto Denies Resignation Talks
1 jam lalu
Airlangga Hartarto denies rumors that he and Sri Mulyani are going to resign.
Imparsial Reports on TNI Law Revision Promises
1 jam lalu
Earlier, a DPR member revealed that the TNI Law revision task force had implemented several changes to previously stipulated clauses.
Economist Links IHSG Plummet to TNI Bill Revision
4 jam lalu
Economist Celios Nailul Huda mentioned that the TNI Bill revision triggers the plummeting IHSG.
Previously Opposed, Why Does PDIP Now Support TNI Law Revision?
6 jam lalu
PDIP now supports the discussion of the TNI law revision, despite previously being rejected by the Chairwoman Megawati.
12,000 People Sign Petition Rejecting Return of Military Dual Function through TNI Bill
9 jam lalu
Since two days after its launch, more than 12,000 people have signed the petition to reject the TNI Bill.
List of 17 Stadiums Inaugurated by Prabowo, Costing Rp1.74 Trillion in Construction Funds
13 jam lalu
PSSI Chair Erick Thohir stated that the renovation of the 17 stadiums inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto has met FIFA standards.
Civil Society Groups Denounce 'Problematic and Rushed' TNI Law Revision
19 jam lalu
KontraS, Amnesty International Indonesia, and YLBHI declared that they reject the rushed and flawed process of the TNI Law revision.
Here Is the List of Civil Posts Open for Active Soldiers in TNI Law Revision
20 jam lalu
The addition of military positions is stipulated in Article 47 paragraph (1) revision of the TNI Law.
Indonesian Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Three Charged with Murder of Journalist
21 jam lalu
The prosecutors in the case of the murder of journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family are seeking the death penalty for the alleged killers.
