By M Khaidar Khamzah, Editor at The Nusantara Times
Published: March 25, 2025
Jakarta, Indonesia — Violent clashes erupted in multiple Indonesian cities on Monday as students took to the streets to protest a newly revised military law that expands the role of active-duty officers in civilian governance. The demonstrations, which spanned Sukabumi, Surabaya, Palangka Raya, Lumajang, and Malang, led to injuries, arrests, and widespread unrest.
In Sukabumi, West Java, hundreds of students assembled outside the regional legislative council (DPRD) office, demanding the repeal of the amendment. Tensions escalated when protesters attempted to breach the building’s entrance, prompting police to deploy water cannons. Several demonstrators were injured in the ensuing confrontation, while authorities detained dozens for alleged incitement.
Wawan Juanda, chairman of the Sukabumi DPRD, denounced the violence, asserting that “non-student agitators” had infiltrated the protest to provoke disorder. Similar turmoil unfolded in Surabaya, East Java, where students gathered outside the Grahadi State Building. Refusing to disperse, demonstrators faced riot police and water cannons. Authorities later confirmed that multiple individuals suspected of instigating violence had been taken into custody.
In Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, what began as a peaceful march turned chaotic when protesters forced their way into the DPRD compound, shattering glass doors and clashing with security forces. One demonstrator was hospitalized with lacerations, while police arrested several individuals for alleged vandalism. Protesters voiced concerns that the military law undermines democratic governance by increasing military influence in civilian affairs.
Meanwhile, in Lumajang, East Java, tensions flared as students attempted to storm the DPRD office. The standoff turned violent when an object was hurled at security forces, triggering a police response that left two demonstrators injured. Protest organizers accused the police of using excessive force and vowed to pursue legal action.
Malang, another East Java city, saw the most destructive protest, as demonstrators set fire to two security posts outside the DPRD office on Sunday. Police detained three students on charges of inciting riots, drawing criticism from legal aid organizations that decried the arrests as arbitrary. Malang authorities stated that investigations were ongoing and warned of further legal consequences for those involved in the unrest.
The protests erupted in response to recent amendments to Law No. 34/2004, which expand the number of civilian positions available to active-duty military officers. Critics argue the law reverses key post-reform efforts to maintain civilian oversight of the military, a crucial safeguard following Indonesia’s transition from authoritarian rule to democracy in the late 1990s.
In the wake of the nationwide protests, Indonesia’s Law and Human Rights Minister Supratman Andi Agtas urged critics to challenge the law through legal channels. “Let the government implement the newly enacted TNI Law first,” he said. “Then, it can be tested to determine whether the concerns are indeed valid.”
As tensions persist, student leaders have vowed to continue demonstrations until the government revokes the controversial provisions. With mounting pressure from civil society groups and human rights organizations, the debate over military influence in Indonesia’s civilian affairs is far from over.
