On March 20, 2025, the House of Representatives officially passed a revision to Law No. 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces. This decision sparked widespread opposition from various groups, including academics, activists, students, and civil society, who believe that the revision could revive the dual function of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, a practice that was abolished during the 1998 Reformation movement.
The Actors and Motives Behind the Indonesian National Armed Forces Law Revision
President Prabowo Subianto played a key role in pushing for this revision. Even before taking office, he had expressed his desire to amend the Indonesian National Armed Forces Law. In 2023, he consulted with several defense experts to draft the revision. After being elected president in February 2024, Prabowo set a target to pass the revised Indonesian National Armed Forces Law within the first three months of his administration.
However, the process was not without obstacles. The initial draft, prepared by Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, then-Special Assistant to the Minister of Defense, was initially rejected by the House of Representatives. In fact, the Indonesian National Armed Forces Bill was not included in the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program, which the House of Representatives finalized at the end of 2024. However, on February 13, 2025, Prabowo sent a letter to the House of Representatives requesting that the Indonesian National Armed Forces Bill be added to the Priority National Legislation Program. Five days later, the House of Representatives approved the request, and within a short period, the bill was passed into law.
Public opposition intensified after the bill was included in the Priority National Legislation Program. Many feared that this revision would reopen the door for the military to intervene in civilian affairs and governance, a practice that had been dismantled during the 1998 Reformation.
Key Changes in the Revised Indonesian National Armed Forces Law
This revision introduces several crucial changes, including:
Expansion of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’s Role in Military Operations Other Than War
The Indonesian National Armed Forces is now tasked with additional duties, such as handling cyber threats and protecting and rescuing Indonesian citizens abroad.
Placement of Active-Duty Indonesian National Armed Forces Personnel in Civilian Positions
The revision allows active-duty Indonesian National Armed Forces personnel to occupy positions in 16 ministries and government agencies without the need to retire early or resign. This has raised concerns about the return of the dual function of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, where the military plays a dual role in both defense and civilian governance.
Changes to Retirement Age for Military Personnel
Although details remain unclear, the law includes modifications to the retirement age for Indonesian National Armed Forces personnel, purportedly to extend their service period.
Indonesian National Armed Forces Directly Under Presidential Authority
One of the most significant changes is that the Indonesian National Armed Forces will now be directly under the President, raising concerns about increased executive control over the military without sufficient oversight.
Elimination of Restrictions on Active-Duty Soldiers in Government
With the new law, at least 2,500 active-duty military personnel currently holding civilian positions are now legally recognized and entitled to civil servant salaries.
The Threat of Indonesian National Armed Forces Dual Function and Democratic Setbacks
One of the primary concerns is the return of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’s dual function, in which the military is not only responsible for defense but also involved in political and civilian governance. This mirrors the New Order era when the military wielded significant power in various aspects of the state.
If this practice is reinstated, it could blur the lines between military and civilian authority, weaken civilian control over the military, and increase the risk of military intervention in politics and governance.
Additionally, the Indonesian National Police has opposed the expansion of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’s role, particularly in drug enforcement, arguing that it could create overlapping authorities between the two institutions.
Presidential Response to Public Opposition
Despite widespread protests, President Prabowo has not issued an official response. When asked about public opposition to the revised Indonesian National Armed Forces Law, he simply smiled and remained silent, further fueling public outrage.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, a member of the Gerindra Party, attempted to ease public concerns by claiming that the revision does not include a return to the Indonesian National Armed Forces’s dual function. However, many believe this statement is merely an attempt to pacify critics without addressing the substance of the law.
Terror Against the Media and Threats to Press Freedom
Amid the controversy surrounding the Indonesian National Armed Forces Law revision, Tempo’s editorial office became the target of terror attacks. On March 19, 2025, the newsroom received a package containing a severed pig’s head. Three days later, on March 22, 2025, a decapitated rat carcass was discovered at their office.
These incidents were widely condemned by various organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission, the Journalist Safety Committee, and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency. The Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, Muhamad Isnur, stated that these attacks pose a serious threat to press freedom in Indonesia.
The Future of Democracy at a Crossroads
The passage of the revised Indonesian National Armed Forces Law has sparked widespread protests from civil society, who fear the resurgence of military dominance in civilian affairs. The President’s indifferent response to public opposition has reinforced the perception that the government is ignoring the people’s voice.
Meanwhile, escalating terror against the media has further worsened Indonesia’s democratic landscape. If this law is enforced without strict oversight, the military could once again gain significant influence in government, repeating the dark history of the New Order era—a past that the nation has long sought to leave behind.
- Revision of Law No. 34 of 2004: On March 20, 2025, the House of Representatives passed a revision igniting opposition from academics, activists, students, and civil society.
- Revival of Dual Function: Critics fear the revision will reintroduce the dual function of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, abolished post-1998 Reformation.
- President's Role: President Prabowo Subianto, who aimed to amend the law prior to taking office, consulted defense experts in 2023 to draft the revision and prioritized its passage within his first three months.
- Legislative Challenges: The initial draft faced rejection and was initially excluded from the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program until a letter from Prabowo prompted its inclusion.
- Key Changes: The revision expands military roles, allows personnel in civilian positions, alters retirement age, and places the military under presidential authority, raising concerns about unchecked executive power and potential military governance.
- New law recognizes 2,500 active-duty military personnel in civilian roles, granting them civil servant salaries.
- Concerns arise about the potential return of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) dual function, risking democratic setbacks.
- Reinstituting military involvement in governance could blur lines between military and civilian authority, threatening civilian control.
- The Indonesian National Police has opposed TNI's expanded role, particularly in drug enforcement, citing overlapping authorities.
- President Prabowo has not addressed public protests against the revised TNI Law, fueling discontent.
- Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad's reassurances are seen as superficial, failing to quell criticism.
- Media terror incidents, including threats to Tempo’s editorial office, highlight dangers to press freedom and are condemned by various organizations.
- The revised law has ignited fears of military dominance, endangering Indonesia's democracy and potentially reviving past oppressive governance.
Legislative Revision
Military Dual Function
Presidential Involvement
Legislative Process
Key Legal Changes
Military in Civilian Roles
Democratic Concerns
Governance and Military
Police Opposition
Public Reaction
Legislative Defense
Press Freedom Threat
Future of Democracy
