Pizaro Gozali Idrus and Arie Firdaus, Jakarta – Images of newly inducted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto wearing jungle-green camouflage fatigues and leading cabinet members in drills has raised concern over whether he is reviving the military's "dual function" role in government, as it was under dictator Suharto.
Just days after the former army special forces commander took office, the president and similarly dressed members of Team Prabowo were seen marching in formation and pounding the parade ground in their combat boots, during a three-day retreat at a military academy in Central Java. The retreat was touted as a team-building exercise but took place amid plans to revise a law governing the nation's armed forces.
Analysts said Prabowo's decision to fly ministers on a C-130 Hercules aircraft, have them stay in barracks and wear army uniforms hints at bringing the military back into a central role in government.
"The retreat symbolizes that Prabowo's regime is prioritizing a militaristic mindset in governing," Al Araf, a military analyst and human rights advocate at Centra Initiative, told BenarNews.
Prabowo, Suharto's former son-in-law, entered office on Oct. 20 with his past military record blemished by allegations that he had committed human rights abuses as an army commander.
A Prabowo spokesman said the retreat at The National Military Academy of Indonesia in Magelang was aimed solely at strengthening unity among ministers from diverse backgrounds.
"It's about fostering connection and closeness," Hasan Nasbi, head of the Presidential Communications Office, told BenarNews.
A written statement from Prabowo's communications team said cabinet members were asked to wake up at 4 a.m. for sports activities and marching exercises.
Prior to breakfast and lunch, Prabowo rang a bell to signal prayer time, followed by cabinet members shouting "enjoy the meals" before they ate and "thank you," at the end, the Reuters news service reported.
Prabowo, in a speech opening the retreat, downplayed the setting. "I don't intend to make you all militaristic – that's not the point. It's about the military way," Prabowo said.
Al Araf linked Prabowo's efforts to a planned revision of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Law that could expand the military's role in government.
A draft of the revision allows active-duty soldiers to hold positions in ministries or institutions needing their expertise, enabling placements beyond those listed in the TNI Law.
Efforts by parliament to pass the revision failed under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who left office nearly two weeks ago, because of civilian resistance, said Dave Laksono, a lawmaker overseeing the process.
"There has been no further progress on the TNI Law revision discussions," Dave told BenarNews.
Beni Sukadis, a military observer at Merapi Consulting, said assigning active military members to civilian positions could weaken the armed forces' core role as the nation's defender.
"Placing military personnel in civilian roles is highly counterproductive to TNI professionalism," he said.
He said Prabowo's appointment of his personal aide, active-duty Maj. Teddy Indra Wijaya, as cabinet secretary, violated the 2004 TNI law. The analyst said he feared this signaled a revival of the military's dual function.
During Suharto's New Order era, Indonesia's military and police played both military and civilian roles, a concept known as the "dual function." In 1998, Suharto stepped down after 32 years in power. His fall ushered in a reform era in democracy and ended the dual function.
"Teddy's appointment may be considered a legal violation or an exploitation of a loophole, as it is not explicitly covered under the TNI Law," Beni said. "To hold a civilian role, he should resign or take early retirement."
Prabowo spokesman Hasan said Teddy did not need to leave the military to serve in the government.
"As per the latest presidential regulation, the cabinet secretary is a second-echelon state civil apparatus position under the ministry of state secretary," Hasan said, adding that, like the military secretary role, it could be held by active military personnel.
'Softening the language'
Dimas Bagus Arya, coordinator of the human rights organization KontraS, said the retreat signaled that Prabowo aims to normalize civilian-military practices in Indonesia.
In addition, Prabowo's appointment of Teddy, despite his active-duty status with Kopassus, the president's old army's special forces unit, signals a move to reintroduce the military's dual function, Dimas said.
"The term 'military way' used by Prabowo is just softening the language. The real intention is a return to a militaristic approach," he said.
He said KontraS expects militaristic practices in the administration will strengthen in the coming years because of the possible revision to the TNI law.
Beni, meanwhile, said Prabowo already applied a military approach within his Gerindra Party, including the formation of a semi-military wing.
He argued that this approach might not succeed as the military relies on a top-down structure while civilian governments tend to be bottom-up.
Beni also expressed concern about a potential return to the military dual function, where career officers could occupy civilian roles without a strong legal basis.
"If this continues, it could lead to authority abuse and instability in the government system," he said.
Source: https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/prabowo-army-style-cabinet-10312024141621.htm