Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – Protests rejecting the newly ratified Indonesian National Armed Forces Law (TNI Law) have erupted across multiple regions.
Protesters not only voiced their rejection of the law but also condemned alleged acts of violence by security forces against civilians during the demonstrations.
Trisakti University Student President Faiz Nabawi Mulya emphasized that the right to protest is legally protected.
"Trisakti University students are deeply concerned about the repressive actions against students and the public, allegedly carried out by security forces, which resulted in injuries," he stated in a written release received by Tempo on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Students underscored that the right to hold demonstrations is guaranteed by law, specifically Article 28E(3) of the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 9 of 1999 on Freedom of Speech in Public, and Law No. 12 of 2005 on the Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
On March 19, Trisakti University students staged a protest at the Pancasila Gate of the House of Representatives Building in Jakarta, rejecting the revised TNI Law.
Faiz argued that the revision could potentially revive the military's dual function, which students strongly oppose. Despite widespread resistance, the government and the House ratified the law on March 20, 2025, through a plenary session.
The changes include expanding civilian positions for active military personnel from 10 to 14 ministries/agencies, extending retirement ages, and adjusting duties.
Clashes in Malang
Protests against the TNI Law escalated into violence in several cities, including Malang, East Java. On March 23, 2025, civilians gathered in front of the Malang City Council Building at around 3:45 PM. The demonstration proceeded peacefully until just before sunset at 5:45 PM.
However, by 6:20 PM, when some demonstrators began playing ball in the street, police started preparing their equipment. Shortly after, officers moved in from two directions, forcefully pushing back the protesters.
The Indonesian Student Press Association (PPMI) Malang reported incidents of violence against student journalists covering the protests. At least eight activists from various campus press organizations were allegedly assaulted by security forces.
PPMI Malang Secretary General Delta Nishfu, one of the victims, recounted being pulled and dragged while documenting the demonstration near the city hall monument roundabout. The attack occurred around 6:40 PM, when security forces clashed with demonstrators.
Intimidation in Yogyakarta
Similar protests also took place in Yogyakarta. The Chairperson of Gadjah Mada University's Student Executive Board, Tiyo Ardianto, revealed that he became the target of intimidation following a demonstration against the TNI Law in front of the Yogyakarta Regional Council Building on March 20, 2025.
Tiyo described how an intimidating banner was placed in the parking lot of the protest site. The banner, designed in a horror-style font resembling dripping blood, read, "Beware of Foreign Agent Infiltration in the Student Movement." It featured images of four individuals, one of whom was Tiyo himself.
Students strongly condemned the security forces for allegedly engaging in both physical and digital assault of protest participants.
Trisakti University's student leadership expressed solidarity with all victims of violence, urging authorities to de-escalate tensions. "We firmly request the National Police Chief and the TNI Commander to withdraw troops to prevent further clashes between security forces and civilians," Faiz stated.
– Hendrik Yaputra, Hammam Izzuddin, Abdi Purnomo, and M Rizki Yusrial contributed to the writing of this article.