Anger as Indonesia law allows military bigger role in government

Indonesia’s parliament has passed controversial changes to legislation that will allow its military a bigger role in government.

Critics warn that the move could return Indonesia to the dark days of Suharto’s military dictatorship, which lasted 32 years until he was forced out of office in 1998.

The revisions backed by President Prabowo Subianto – a former special forces commander and Suharto’s son-in-law – allow military officers to take up positions in government without first retiring or resigning from the armed forces.

Hundreds of pro-democracy activists have camped outside parliament since Wednesday evening to protest at the changes.

The revisions allow active military personnel to hold positions in 14 civilian institutions, up from 10. They also raise retirement age by several years for most ranks. Highest-ranking four-star generals can now serve until 63, up from 60.

By Thursday evening, the crowd of protesters outside parliament had grown to nearly a thousand. “Return the military to the barracks!” “Against militarism and oligarchy,” read the banners they held.

Police officers and military personnel stood guard around the protesters.

While there have been efforts over the past 25 years to limit the military’s involvement in politics and governance, local human rights watchdog Imparsial found that nearly 2,600 active-duty officers were serving in civilian roles even before the law’s revision.

The changes signal a “broader consolidation of power” under Prabowo, said Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at public policy advisory firm Global Counsel.

That the main opposition party endorsed the changes – despite initial opposition – further underscores this shift, he noted.

Credit: bbc.com

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