Indonesia’s Military Expansion Law Sparks Brutal Crackdowns

JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – A coalition of 26 human rights organizations has demanded the repeal of Indonesia’s revised military law following violent crackdowns on protesters. The controversial amendments to Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have drawn sharp criticism for expanding military powers in civilian affairs.

Security forces have responded to peaceful demonstrations with excessive violence, including beatings, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics. In recent weeks, protests in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung have seen elite military units deployed against civilians, resulting in dozens of injuries and detentions.

Women activists and indigenous communities report being particularly targeted under the new law. Solidaritas Perempuan, a women’s rights group, documented cases of military personnel seizing land and criminalizing female protesters opposing corporate projects in Central Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

Digital repression has intensified alongside physical crackdowns. SAFEnet, a digital rights organization, recorded a spike in doxing, hacking, and online smear campaigns against critics. Military-linked social media accounts have labeled dissidents as “foreign agents,” reaching nearly 60,000 users in just three days.

Journalists covering the protests face unprecedented threats. The Alliance of Independent Journalists reported incidents of terror tactics, including deliveries of pig heads and dead rats to newsrooms. Several reporters have been detained while attempting to document police violence.

Legal experts warn the law was drafted without transparency. The Indonesian Center for Law and Policy Studies found the legislation bypassed standard public consultation processes, with military officers present during closed-door parliamentary discussions.

Amnesty International Indonesia condemned the security forces’ repeated use of excessive force, noting similarities to crackdowns during 2024’s #PeringatanDarurat protests. No security personnel have been prosecuted for these earlier violations.