Jakarta – Intimidation against those opposed to the revised Indonesian Military (TNI) Law shows that civil freedoms are on the edge of an abyss. TNI personnel are alleged to be responsible for the intimidation against these activists. Without punishments for soldiers stifling the right of expression, similar threats will continue.

A number of activists who expressed their opposition to the revised TNI Law continue to experience intimidation and terror. On Thursday, April 3, 2025. TNI personnel went to the office of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence yet again and took photographs of the building. And soldiers have put pressure on other activists and claimed that the military is competent to occupy civilian positions. Meanwhile, former member of National Commission on Violence Against Women Ita Fatia Nadia had her cellphone hacked.

Military personnel should not be putting pressure on activists. Demonstrations to express opinions are a fundamental right of citizens, and must not be responded to with violence. Opposing or supporting the function of the TNI within the civilian sphere after the revision to the law is protected by the Constitution. The actions by soldiers spying on and intimidating democracy activists show that the military has been contaminated by political matters. The concept of a professional military that confines itself to matters of defense seems to be further away than ever.

In a democratic nation, the military is not a tool of the government to exercise its power. If the military involves itself with politics, it will only result in damage to democracy and possible human rights violations. However, it is difficult to hope that President Prabowo Subianto will prevent the military from infiltrating further into civilian life. Prabowo himself has admitted that the revised TNI Law, which was deliberated in secret, was something that he wanted.

Prabowo and other senior officials and military personnel should open their eyes to the increasing public resistance to the revised TNI Law. Prabowo's response to the demonstrations – he has questioned whether those participating were paid or not – shows his lack of understanding of democracy. If he were objective and honest, Prabowo would clearly see that these demonstrations appeared from among the people, without any leadership ready to overthrow him.

After the Idul Fitri holiday, the demonstrations began again. But now it is not only students and activists who are demonstrating against the revised TNI Law. Middle-class people from a range of age groups have taken to the streets in a number of cities. Since the second week of April 2025, young people have been taking turns to come to the "opposition picnic" tents in front of the Pancasila Gate of the House of Representatives complex. They do not know each other, but act spontaneously because they are aware that democracy is under threat.

This social movement should ring alarm bells for the Prabowo administration. With military personnel increasingly crossing the line by terrorizing people, the public opposition to the revised TNI Law is becoming increasingly strident. This type of movement could fade away, but it could also grow if the government continues to close its eyes and ears. History shows that social movements – which emerged gradually and grew in the years up to 1998 – became the driving force for overthrowing an anti-democratic tyrant.

– Read the complete story in Tempo English Magazine

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1999878/intimidation-for-opponents-of-the-tni-law-revisio