Indonesia Passes Controversial Military Legislation

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Students and rights activists have rallied outside Indonesia’s parliament building, where legislators passed changes to a military law that protesters say will bring the Islamic nation closer to dictatorship.

Thursday’s rally broke out after civil society groups warned that Indonesia, “the world’s third-biggest democracy,” would return to the draconian “New Order” era of former strongman president Suharto when military officers dominated civilian affairs.

However, Parliament Speaker Puan Maharani, who led the unanimous vote, said it was “in accordance with the principle of democracy and human rights.”

Yet observers have not noticed that President Prabowo Subianto, who took office last October and was a special forces commander under Suharto, has been expanding the armed forces’ role. The army has been active in what were considered civilian areas, including the president’s flagship program of free meals for children.

However, rights activists fear that increased military involvement may lead to “abuses of power, human rights violations, and impunity” from consequences for actions.

The government has said the bill requires officers to resign from the military before assuming civilian posts at departments such as the Attorney General’s Office. Additionally, officers can not join state-owned companies to counter concerns that the military would be involved in business, said a lawmaker familiar with the changes.

Budi Djiwandono, the committee’s deputy chief overseeing the military law bill, said the government would ensure that civil supremacy is upheld.

Djiwandono, who is also President Prabowo’s nephew, added in published remarks that “no active military personnel would be placed in state-owned companies, dismissing concerns they would be involved in business.”

Opposition politicians have urged all parties to monitor the law’s implementation to ensure “no further expansion of military roles,” Worthy News learned.

Yet the protesters suggested that many Indonesians fear a return to autocratic rule.

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