Indonesia is at a democratic crossroads. On March 20, 2025, the Prabowo Subianto administration passed a revision of the military law that significantly expands the military’s role in civilian affairs, marking a potential return to the authoritarian practices of the Suharto era. Civil society groups, legal scholars, and international observers warn that this shift undermines two decades of democratic reform and entrenches a dangerous model of governance rooted in militaristic control. Among its most concerning features are open-ended powers for overseas operations, the entrenchment of military leadership through retirement age extensions, and increased presidential authority over inter-ministerial appointments. This brief analyzes the historical and political roots of the revised law, outlines its key provisions, and evaluates its far-reaching consequences for Indonesia’s democratic institutions and civic space. It concludes with recommendations for resisting and reversing this authoritarian drift.
