Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition condemns the Indonesian military's (TNI) entry into campuses. The presence of army personnel in several universities is considered as surveillance of academic activities.
"The intimidating actions carried out by TNI members not only threaten democracy, but also contradict the Constitution and the TNI Law," said the civil coalition in a statement received by Tempo from Al Araf, the Coordinator of Centra Initiative on Sunday night, April 20, 2025.
In addition to Centra Initiative, the group expressing this stance also includes Imparsial, the Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), Elsam, De Jure, Human Rights Working Group, and Walhi.
According to the coalition, the military's entry into campuses potentially strengthens the suspicion of TNI's dual function in civilian life. The Civil Coalition reminds the House of Representatives and the Government that the military has the duty and function of defense, and does not have the authority to supervise and interfere in academic affairs.
The Civil Coalition urges the parliament to seriously pay attention to the Government and the TNI Commander to refrain from taking actions that potentially violate constitutional principles and the TNI Law, especially after the Revision of the TNI Law was passed.
The Vice Chair of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Dave Laksono, has not responded to Tempo's message about public unrest. The message sent via Whatsapp to the defense committee member has not been replied to.
Military personnel entered the campus during the national student consolidation activities at the University of Indonesia (UI) on April 16, 2025 and during student activities at UIN Walisongo, Semarang, on April 14, 2025. The TNI has been heavily criticized by the public in a case of collaboration with Udayana University.
The Head of the Army Information Service Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana responded to a number of incidents of military presence on campus. According to him, the arrival of military personnel, especially from the army, is due to invitations or legitimate cooperation agreements.
According to Wahyu, the invitations usually consist of educational material provided by the TNI to the academic community on campus. He believes that there is no militarization effort in the military activities on campus.
"The presence of the Army on campus has been based on legitimate cooperation, is educational in nature, and is carried out upon invitation or coordination with the campus," said Wahyu in his written statement on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
– Novali Panji contributed to the writing of this article.