On 20 March 2025, the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has approved the revision of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Law. Passed in a rushed process, without notification or granting the public access to the draft law, the revision has the potential to lead Indonesia towards a militaristic regime reminiscent of the Orde Baru (New Order) era, the regime of former President Soeharto. Activists who have spoken out against the revision of the bill have faced intimidation and criminalization.
The revised law expands the authority of the military to other areas than war, allows additional civilian positions to be filled by active TNI members, and extends the military service’s retirement age. It therefore enables military overreach into civilian government domains, impacting systems, structures, and other aspects related to state affairs and citizenship more broadly. This could result in the narrowing of civil space and democracy, as well as an increase in human rights violations committed by the military. The 32 years of authoritarianism and militarism under the Orde Baru regime indicate four main concerns with the expansion of military authority: the erosion of civilian supremacy, institutional changes, human rights concerns, and decreasing public trust and civic space.
The revision of the TNI Law is thus not merely a legislative change, it represents a potential turning point for Indonesia’s democracy. The systemic and structural implications of this event could lead to a significant shift in how governance is conducted, with far-reaching consequences for civil liberties, human rights, and the overall health of Indonesian democracy. As such, it is crucial for civil society, policymakers, and international observers to remain vigilant and advocate for accountability and transparency in governance moving forward.