In line with Indonesia's constitutional tradition, ahead of the commemoration of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day, the President delivers a state address before the People's Consultative Assembly. In this speech, Prabowo Subianto repeatedly glorified government programs, particularly the budget efficiency, free nutritious meals, as well as government policies in the areas of food and defense.The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) highlights several points raised by Prabowo Subianto in the speech, as well as the human rights situation in Indonesia ahead of the commemoration of the Republic of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day.
First, Prabowo Subianto repeatedly referred to government programs aimed at liberating the people from poverty as well as achieving economic sovereignty in order to realize Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution which stipulates that land, water, and all natural resources shall be controlled by the state and utilized to the greatest benefit of the people.
In reality, the government's development projects, particularly the National Strategic Projects (PSN), have instead become a source of suffering and human rights violations, especially against Indigenous communities. Hundreds of thousands of residents have experienced the adverse impacts of PSN. In Merauke, PSN has created the potential for forest destruction and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples' living spaces,1 while residents opposing PSN have faced intimidation and threats from security forces. Similar patterns have also occurred in other regions that have now become the "centers" of PSN development.
This demonstrates that, in many cases, government-initiated development projects, instead of improving people's welfare, have potentially resulted in human rights violations, specifically land grabbing and other forms experienced by Indigenous peoples. This situation is further aggravated by the involvement of the military through the so-called "combat battalion for development" scheme.
Second, Prabowo Subianto also mentioned the establishment of 20 Territorial Development Brigades and 100 Combat Development Battalions. The formation of these brigades and battalions effectively assigns the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) tasks and functions beyond their mandate of national defense, which risks weakening the capacity of civilian institutions in state governance and eroding the military's professionalism in carrying out its primary role as a national defense force.2 In addition, in his speech, Prabowo Subianto also referred to the creation of 6 Regional Military Commands, 14 Regional Naval Commands, and 3 Regional Air Force Commands.
The expansion of the territorial command structure reflects a defense orientation that remains focused on domestic dynamics, without demonstrating sufficient strategic awareness of the need to respond to global developments and challenges. Furthermore, this policy is inconsistent with the spirit of TNI reform and the principles mandated by the TNI Law. In line with the abolition of the Armed Forces' dual-function doctrine (dwi fungsi ABRI), the territorial command structure should instead undergo restructuring or streamlining. The establishment of the territorial development brigades adds to the list of setbacks in TNI reform, particularly following the passage of the revised TNI Law.
Third, the President's speech did not mention the current situation regarding the respect, protection, and fulfillment of human rights. The government remains focused on economic development centered on the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, yet has not made the protection, respect, and fulfillment of human rights a primary agenda. As in previous presidential speeches, the resolution of gross human rights violations, including those committed in the past, was once again absent from the address before the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR-RI).
It is evident that the government does not place human rights protection as a primary agenda and continues to allow impunity to persist. Individuals suspected of involvement in past gross human rights violations have even been granted honorary ranks and appointed to strategic positions as ministers and heads of state institutions. This situation is further aggravated by the discourse on rewriting history without prioritizing truth-telling concerning gross human rights violations, initiated by the Minister of Culture, as well as the proposal to designate Soeharto as a national hero. Instead of delivering justice to victims, the government openly perpetuates impunity, pushing the agenda for resolving gross human rights violations and advancing other human rights protection and fulfillment measures further away from the victims hopes.
Fourth, ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day, incidents of violence, repressive conduct by state authorities, and violations of citizens' rights continue to occur. Monitoring by KontraS from January to June 2025 recorded 76 incidents of civil liberty violations affecting 503 victims.3 This demonstrates that the government has not yet taken citizens' criticisms in a serious manner and at times still perceives criticism as a threat. Criticism expressed by citizens should be treated as constructive input for the government, not suppressed, let alone met with repression and violence.
In recent months, incidents of violations of the freedom of religion and belief have repeatedly occurred. The State has yet to adequately protect minority groups and fulfill its constitutional mandate to guarantee the right to religion as a non-derogable right under any circumstances.
The situation is further exacerbated by KontraS's findings, which recorded 66 incidents of torture affecting 139 victims. The persistence of such torture indicates that law enforcement continues to prioritize violence while neglecting the protection of citizens' constitutional rights.
"In response to this situation, KontraS assesses that the reality stands in contrast to the theme of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day, "United and Sovereign, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia," as promoted by the government. In reality, the authorities are becoming more sovereign with the support of military power, the people are increasingly suffering due to policies that entrap them, and impunity for serious human rights violations runs rampant, perpetuated by those in power. The cry of "Merdeka!" (Freedom!) is not sufficient as a mere slogan of nationalism; more importantly, "Merdeka!" must be understood as a spirit of liberation against militarism, impunity, state violence, and the suppression of civil liberties," stated Dimas Bagus Arya, coordinator of KontraS.
Jakarta, 16 August 2025
Dimas Bagus Arya, S.H
Coordinator of KontraS
1. BBC, "Masyarakat Adat Solidaritas Merauke Deklarasi Tolak PSN" https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cpde5l58p16o
2. Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform, "Militerisasi dan Impunitas: Ancaman Serius Bagi Masa Depan Demokrasi dan Reformasi Sektor Keamanan" https://kontras.org/media/siaranpers/siaran-pers-koalisi-masyarakat-sipil-untuk-reformasi-sektor-keamanan-militerisasi-dan-impunitas-ancaman-serius-bagi-masa-depan-demokrasi-dan-reformasi-sektor-keamanan
3. KontraS, "Monitoring of Civil Liberties Situation in Indonesia", https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1q0MfSkoMFBA7_tKxNnkuVvD-tsZXrA/view
Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)