The increasing military involvement in civilian affairs in Indonesia has raised concerns, given the history of power abuses during the *dwifungsi* (dual-function) era under Suharto’s rule.
In the post-Reformasi period, the government enacted Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which formally restricted the military’s role in the civilian sphere. Since then, the role of TNI officers in civilian affairs has been limited, with involvement permitted only in specific situations categorized as Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP).
However, trends emerging during the administration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and continuing under the current leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, alongside proposed revisions to military laws—have steered the TNI in a markedly different direction.
Currently, the TNI is visibly involved in at least four major programs: the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP), the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative, “People’s Schools” (*Sekolah Rakyat*), and counter-terrorism the latter being a domain traditionally assigned to the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
Article Author: Revo Linggar Vandito
Read the full article on the website: Stratsea
