Early three decades after the fall of Indonesia’s authoritarian leader Soeharto, the nation’s new president, Prabowo Subianto, is causing unease among liberals and others by increasingly relying on the military for his governing vision.
Critics of President Prabowo Subianto, formerly the defense minister, point to his early actions as a worrying sign of his tendency to replace civilian functions with military roles. His approach is reminiscent of the Soeharto-era doctrine called “dwifungsi” (dual function), which empowered the armed forces to suppress dissent and dominate public life.
Just three months into his office, after a landslide election victory, Prabowo has expanded the military’s roles in several public sectors, including his flagship free school meals project.
His allies in parliament are preparing legislation that would allow Prabowo to appoint active military officers to senior government positions, potentially dismantling safeguards established after Soeharto’s overthrow in 1998.
Prabowo’s victory in last year’s election was driven by younger voters, who have little or no memory of Soeharto’s reign.
Soeharto’s Legacy
Soeharto rose to power amid a bloody communist purge that killed hundreds of thousands of people accused of being communists. He governed for 32 years under the New Order regime.
Prabowo, who served as a special forces commander under Soeharto, was later dismissed from the military on unproven allegations of human rights abuses. He has denied past rights abuses.
Prabowo’s Resort to the Military
Supporters claim tapping the military for important projects offers efficiencies, but critics fear a re-militarization of government and erosion of democratic reforms.
“He’s not abiding by civil supremacy. He instead wants to restore the glory of military, where various kinds of civic works can be done by the military, arguing it will be faster, more effective.”
– Analyst Yanuar Nugroho
Prabowo’s office did not respond to requests for comment on military deployment for government projects.
Free School Meals Program
Prabowo’s most visible use of the military has been his US$28 billion signature project to provide free school meals. The military was responsible for running 100 of the 190 kitchens upon the project’s launch.
Students eat lunches on Sept. 26, 2024, as part of a trial of the free nutritious meals program during their break time at school in Sukabumi, West Java. (REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan)
Air Force Colonel Satrya Dharma Wijaya, normally responsible for aircraft maintenance, has been tasked with ordering kitchen supplies and preparing meals for thousands of children.
Other Military Initiatives
Prabowo has also expanded other military-run projects, such as crop land clearances and conversion of idle Air Force land into agricultural use. He has ordered a nationwide extension for water pipe installations in remote areas.
“It’s impossible to return to the New Order (Suharto) era. There’s no way.”
– Army Chief General Maruli Simanjuntak
Legislative Concerns
Key concerns arise from upcoming legislation that could allow Prabowo to appoint active military officers to top government positions for the first time in decades.
The bill, drafted by Prabowo’s allies, faces parliamentary deliberation where his coalition holds 74 percent of seats.
“These strategic programmes must be run by people who are disciplined, highly committed and have been trained to be responsible and disciplined.”
– Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, deputy speaker of parliament
Military Reforms and Backsliding
Retired military men express concerns about Prabowo’s reliance on the armed forces. They fear potential policy implications and weakening of civilian institutions.
“Don’t give a blank check where soldiers could be placed at any posts. It will ruin the system.”
– Retired Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo
Conclusion
As Indonesia marks three decades since the fall of Soeharto, Prabowo Subianto’s reliance on the military raises questions about potential democratic backsliding and the re-centralization of power. While supporters argue for efficiency, critics warn of a return to the authoritarian policies of the past.
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