INDONESIA PASSES MILITARY LAW REVISIONS AMID PROTEST

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, March 20 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s parliament has passed a controversial revision of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Law, despite protests from student groups and civil society organisations.

The bill was approved in a plenary session on Thursday, chaired by Speaker Puan Maharani, and broadcast live on Parliament TV.

According to Puan, the revised law introduces three key changes – including expanding the TNI’s non-wartime duties, increasing its presence in government ministries, and extending military service.

One of the most debated amendments is Article 7, which broadens the military’s operational scope from 14 to 16 non-combat roles – with the addition of cyber defence and assisting citizens abroad.

Article 47 increases the number of ministries where active-duty soldiers can hold positions – from 10 to 14. For positions outside these 14 ministries, soldiers must first resign or retire from military service.

Meanwhile, Article 53 extends military service based on rank, with the government arguing this ensures fairness within the armed forces.

“We, together with the government, stress that the amendment remains grounded in democratic principles, civilian supremacy, and human rights, in line with national and international law,” Puan added.

Ahead of the vote, more than 5,000 security personnel were deployed in Jakarta as protesters gathered near the Parliament complex.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro, in a statement, said that officers had been instructed to act “humanely” and would not carry firearms.

The demonstration, led by the Indonesian Student Executive Bodies Alliance (BEM SI) and the civil society coalitions, is expected to draw around 1,000 participants.

Protesters argue the revisions could restore the military’s dual function, a key feature of President Suharto’s authoritarian rule, which allowed the armed forces to wield political and civilian power.

“This bill threatens civilian supremacy. We cannot allow the military to regain political influence,” said BEM SI in a statement.

Similar demonstrations are planned across the country, with critics warning that expanding the military’s role in governance could undermine Indonesia’s democratic reforms.

-- BERNAMA