Prabowo Subianto's military reliance sparks democratic concerns

Indonesia's president faces criticism for increasing military involvement in government functions, sparking fears of a return to Suharto-era practices.

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, also the supreme commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), speaks during a leadership meeting with the TNI and the Indonesian National Police in Jakarta on January 30, 2025. Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

Nearly three decades after the fall of Indonesia’s authoritarian regime under General Suharto, President Prabowo Subianto's increasing reliance on the military for governing tasks has stirred anxiety among liberals and critics of the current administration. While Prabowo's supporters argue that the military’s involvement brings efficiency to national projects, others warn that it mirrors the militarization of public life under Suharto, a legacy that many hoped Indonesia had left behind.

Prabowo’s growing dependence on the armed forces has raised alarm among political analysts and critics, who fear it could signal a reversal of democratic reforms introduced after Suharto’s 1998 ouster. The former defence minister’s early actions in office are being compared to "dwifungsi," a doctrine from the Suharto era that allowed the military to exert influence over both politics and civil society. Critics argue that Prabowo’s military-centric governance could undermine Indonesia’s democratic structures and lead to the erosion of civilian oversight in favor of authoritarian rule.

Prabowo’s early moves spark unease among critics

Prabowo, who secured a landslide victory in last year’s presidential election, has quickly moved to expand the military's role in several key areas of governance. Among the most visible examples of this shift is his ambitious $28 billion project aimed at providing free school meals across the country. Since taking office, Prabowo has enlisted the military to run the program, including managing hundreds of kitchens and logistical operations designed to deliver meals to children across Indonesia.

While supporters claim the military’s involvement streamlines operations and ensures efficiency, critics see it as a worrying step towards re-militarizing the state. Analysts like Yanuar Nugroho, who previously served as a deputy chief of staff to Prabowo’s predecessor, Joko Widodo, express concern that the president’s push for military-led initiatives represents a dangerous move towards the restoration of military influence over civilian matters.

"He’s not abiding by civil supremacy," said Nugroho, criticizing Prabowo’s tendency to centralize power and give the military roles that would traditionally fall under civilian control. "Instead, he wants to restore the glory of the military, where various civic-works can be done by the military, arguing it will be faster, more effective."

Military’s expanding role in government initiatives

Prabowo’s reliance on the military extends beyond the school meal program. He has also expanded initiatives from his tenure as defence minister, such as the military’s involvement in agriculture and rural development. Under Prabowo’s direction, the army is now tasked with large-scale land cultivation projects aimed at boosting Indonesia’s food security. The army is set to increase land cleared for cultivation from an initial 60,000 hectares to a projected 3 million hectares, roughly the size of Belgium.

Another military-led initiative involves the conversion of idle military land into agricultural fields, particularly focusing on rice and corn production. In addition, the military has been assigned to extend water pipe installations for irrigation and plumbing in remote areas, part of a broader initiative to improve infrastructure and public services.

Supporters of these initiatives argue that the military’s organizational structure allows for quick, effective action, with strong chains of command ensuring that projects are carried out efficiently. Army Chief General Maruli Simanjuntak insists that there are safeguards in place to prevent the military from becoming involved in political repression, reassuring the public that a return to Suharto-era military dominance is not on the horizon.

"It’s impossible to return to the New Order (Suharto) era. There’s no way," Simanjuntak said, attempting to ease fears about the military’s expanding role in government.

Legislation allowing military officers in senior government positions

One of the most controversial aspects of Prabowo’s early presidency is his push for legislation that would allow active-duty military officers to hold senior government positions for the first time in decades. The legislation, which is backed by Prabowo’s allies in parliament, would grant the president greater flexibility to appoint military officials to key roles in government. This move is seen by many as a dangerous step toward eroding civilian control over the government and could revive the military’s political influence, reminiscent of the “dual function” system under Suharto.

Prabowo has already appointed several former military officers to high-ranking positions, including Foreign Minister Retired General Sugiono, who served in Indonesia’s special forces before retiring. His supporters argue that these appointments are necessary for running "strategic programs" that require discipline and accountability. However, critics, including some former military officers, worry that the normalization of military involvement in politics will undermine the civilian institutions that were established after Suharto’s downfall.

"Don’t give a blank check where soldiers could be placed at any posts. It will ruin the system," said retired Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo, one of the key figures in post-Suharto military reforms.

Participants wait for the arrival of Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, also the supreme commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), during the leadership meeting with the TNI and the Indonesian National Police in Jakarta on January 30, 2025. Photo by Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Getty Images

Despite Prabowo’s assurances that his administration will not replicate Suharto’s regime, critics argue that his actions indicate a clear drift towards militarization. According to political analyst Kevin O'Rourke, Prabowo’s administration is showing signs of restoring military roles in politics, a troubling development given Indonesia’s past under Suharto. O'Rourke notes that the Suharto regime operated without checks and balances, with the military deeply involved in both politics and business, creating a pattern that could be replicated under Prabowo.

"Restoring military roles in politics is one aspect of it," O'Rourke told Reuters, adding that the re-militarization of the state could erode democratic oversight and weaken civilian institutions. As Prabowo consolidates power and increases military influence, some fear that the country could face a "democratic backsliding" that would undermine the freedoms and checks on power that have been in place since Suharto’s fall.

The potential implications for Indonesia's democracy

As Prabowo continues to rely on the military to fulfill his vision for governance, concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions grow. Analysts fear that if military involvement in government projects continues to expand unchecked, it could lead to a centralization of power under Prabowo’s presidency, creating a system where the military plays a dominant role in decision-making.

Yanuar Nugroho fears that the current trajectory could result in a system akin to the "dual function" doctrine of the Suharto era, where the military not only had a powerful influence over politics but also played a key role in suppressing dissent and controlling public life. With Prabowo's approval rating standing at 81% after his first 100 days in office, his political capital is strong, but his increasing reliance on the military could alienate those who remember Indonesia’s authoritarian past and value democratic freedoms.

As Prabowo prepares to implement further military-led initiatives, the question remains whether his vision for Indonesia can be reconciled with the democratic principles that the country has fought to protect since the fall of Suharto. The next few years will likely determine the future direction of Indonesia's democracy and the role the military plays in its political landscape.