A Better Role for Indonesia’s Armed Forces
- ISI Secretariat
- May 7
- 5 min read
by Muhammad Izzuddin Al Haq.
In Brief
Indonesia's representative house (DPR) passed the bill on 20 March, allowing the military to occupy the public sector. All factions of the House of Representatives welcome the ratification. With one loud voice that had no hesitation toward further implication, they pronounced, “Agree.” Despite promises to be publicly announced, that detail is not yet visible. One of the members of Commission I of the House of Representatives clarifies why the new military law draft has not been uploaded. The government would publish this law upon its promulgation, he said. Furthermore, he claimed that President Prabowo will be the first to sign the measure. Additionally, he will incorporate the law into the state gazette, assign it a number, and then issue it.
The number and history can tell that the capability of Indonesia’s military sector can be progressive on the international plane. Since 1957, approximately 25,000 personnel from Garuda Contingent have participated in UN peacekeeping missions, and Jakarta has recently unveiled a two-year strategy aimed at increasing future deployments. In addition to this, credit must be given to the Garuda Forces placed in Lebanon, as they successfully maintain the security in the territory amid the heavy attacks aimed at them under the UNIFIL umbrella. With that being said, the adoption of the newly adopted military law is no longer needed. Rather, Indonesia's military ought to enhance its involvement in international peacekeeping and regional security for the benefit of its global standing. Although advocates contend that the freshly ratified law improves governance efficiency, historical evidence indicates the contrary.
The Fragile State of Trust: Domestic Risk
The participation of the military in civil governance jeopardises Indonesia's democratic advancements. Since Suharto's authoritarian administration collapsed in 1998, the nation has successfully isolated military influence from political affairs. Allowing active military members to assume civilian positions blurs the line between democratic administration and military dominance, potentially undermining civilian power. On top of that, there is a strong inverse relationship between beliefs in military superiority and trust in civilian leadership. Evidence from a study mentions that individuals coming from a military background often undermine the civilian leader as weaker, less superior, and more likely to endorse actions that weaken civilian oversight. Precisely, those that restrict, challenge, or diminish the authority of civilian institutions that could lead to both domestic and foreign policy decisions.
At the same time, military personnel, who are primarily trained in defence and security, may lack the necessary skills to make economic and social decisions. Effective governance necessitates expertise in public administration, economics, and development, domains where military training provides inadequate preparation. Such deficiencies may result in inefficiencies in policymaking and impede Indonesia's economic and social advancement.
Public Distrust
Civil society has expressed intense resistance, concerned about a steady return of military power in politics. A considerable number of Indonesians still remember the New Order period, characterised by the substantial political and economic dominance of military elites. An expansion of the military's role in government may undermine civilian supervision and diminish transparency. It encourages conditions conducive to unrestrained authority and corruption. Moreover, historical occurrences of human rights violations perpetrated by military regimes engender distrust, particularly among activists and excluded groups. A militaristic bureaucracy may deter public engagement in policymaking, as individuals may fear reprisal when expressing opposition. If this suspicion intensifies, Indonesia may encounter escalating discontent, further dividing society and undermining its democratic institutions.
With his leadership, Prabowo attempts to garner international actors to play a certain role in the international circuit. President Prabowo often stated that Indonesia is a big and strong democratic nation. However, allowing authoritarian leadership by inviting the military to lead public affairs does not represent the former leadership style. It is imperative to maintain the tenet of good governance by guaranteeing that public matters are governed by civilian authority. While enabling the military to concentrate on its fundamental responsibilities in defence and security. Instead of expanding its military's involvement in domestic government, Indonesia ought to enhance its foreign military participation, which provides both diplomatic and strategic benefits.
Garuda Contingent’s Presence for a Safer World
Indonesia is a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, notably under the Garuda Contingent. Advancing its engagement would enhance Indonesia’s global reputation and reaffirm its dedication to world peace. Indonesia may assert leadership by upholding the humanity of Palestine, an issue that it has consistently endorsed. In 2023, Prabowo commenced efforts to facilitate the education of approximately 20 Palestinian students in Indonesia. In his recent address, he opted to reconstruct public facilities such as mosques in Gaza. However, Indonesia could potentially take a more proactive role in humanitarian assistance and mediation efforts, thereby enhancing its global reputation as a proponent of peace. Such activities may involve the deployment of additional medical teams, engineering units, and logistical support to post-conflict zones, assuring both stability and long-term reconstruction. Moreover, Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy positions it as a credible mediator in international disputes, enabling it to promote peace negotiations and conflict resolution initiatives in areas beyond Southeast Asia.
At the same time, Indonesia may need to take a lead in strengthening counterterrorism efforts in Southeast Asia. In particular, Indonesia should lead military initiatives against extremist threats through ASEAN cooperation. The strategic location of Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific positions it at the epicentre of regional security concerns, particularly in the context of maritime disputes. Enhancing its role in defending the South China Sea would protect national interests and solidify ASEAN's collective posture on maritime security. Indonesia can deter external aggression and contribute to stability by increasing joint naval exercises, intelligence sharing, and patrols. Moreover, to enhance its domestic security strategy, Indonesia could implement the principles learnt from international peacekeeping and counterinsurgency operations. For instance, the Papua Free Movement may be addressed through a combination of strategic security measures, community-based peacebuilding, and diplomatic engagement, which could promote ongoing stability. Indonesia, primarily through its military, could ensure a balanced approach between military action and peaceful dialogue by adopting best practices in conflict resolution. This practice can be observed through how UN peacekeeping forces manage insurgencies and post-conflict reconciliation in Africa and the Middle East.
Policy Recommendations
As demonstrated above, the government should prioritise international defence relations and regional security collaborations above assigning military individuals to civilian positions. A globally esteemed military will enhance security, economic prospects, and diplomatic influence, establishing Indonesia as a prominent actor in international relations. Indonesia's military must emphasise international participation over domestic administration to enhance credibility and improve diplomacy. Promoting peacekeeping operations, maritime security, and counterterrorism initiatives will further strengthen Indonesia’s influence and promote regional stability in global governance. Expanding its role in international peacekeeping missions, Indonesia’s military can contribute meaningfully to global stability while elevating the nation’s diplomatic profile. Such engagement not only reinforces Indonesia’s commitment to multilateral cooperation but also enhances its credibility as a principled actor in regional and global security affairs.
Disclaimer
This content is part of ISI Commentaries to serve the latest comprehensive and reliable analysis on International Relations, security, politics, and social-cultural in Indo-Pacific Region. Read more how to to submit it: https://www.isi-indonesia.com/write-for-us
Defense Policy and Strategic Division
Muhammad Izzuddin Al Haq is a third-year International Affairs Management student at Universiti Utara Malaysia. He also serves as the Director General at WorldOrder_Lab, where he leads research on global diplomacy and strategic affairs, and as a political analyst with the ASEAN Youth Organisation. Haqqi is passionate about international security affairs and evolving global geopolitical roles.