TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto addressed longstanding criticisms directed at the Indonesian military, stating that the TNI is often accused of being authoritarian.
Despite these accusations, Prabowo asserted that the TNI played a significant role in the success of Indonesia’s reformation era.
"TNI is always accused of wanting to be a dictator," said the head of state during the halalbihalal gathering of the Indonesian Army Retirees Association (TNI AD Retirees Association) at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Prabowo, a former commander of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus), recalled his initial rejection of the idea that the TNI harbored authoritarian ambitions.
As the current Minister of Defense, he emphasized that throughout global history, armies rarely withdraw from political arenas.
In contrast, he argued, the TNI chose to step back during Indonesia’s Reform Era. “We are willing to step back,” he said.
The 1998 Reform Movement, often referred to as the 1998 Student Movement, marked a turning point in Indonesian history. It was a wave of protests led by students and supported by laborers, civil society, and pro-democracy activists demanding major political changes.
The movement led to the resignation of President Soeharto on May 21, 1998, ending his 32-year rule. The primary issues that fueled the reformation included widespread Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KKN), as well as the military’s dual function in civilian governance.
A critical moment occurred when students rejected Soeharto's accountability speech at the DPR/MPR Building, escalating pressure on the regime.
Still, prior to his resignation, Soeharto and BJ Habibie had been inaugurated as President and Vice President on March 11, 1998, and later formed the "Development Cabinet VII" on March 14.
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