TNI Law Amendments: Indonesia's Military Expansion in Civilian Roles

Indonesia's parliament passed Law No. 3 of 2025 on March 20, 2025, amending Law No. 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). The amendments expand active-duty military personnel's roles in civilian positions from 10 to 15 institutions, including the Attorney-General’s Office, National Disaster Mitigation Agency, National Counterterrorism Agency, Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, and National Agency for Border Management.

Key changes clarify TNI involvement in nonmilitary tasks, such as military operations other than war to tackle cyberthreats, secure vital infrastructure, assist local governments, and protect national interests abroad. Provisions also address defense modernization, soldier welfare, social security, leadership structures, career paths, and retirement ages.

The law has faced protests in multiple cities, with civil society groups challenging it at the Constitutional Court. Critics argue it erodes civilian supremacy post-Suharto reforms, potentially reviving dual-function practices despite government assurances that appointments tie to defense and require retirement for non-designated roles.​

Youth-led demonstrations, including from universities like UGM and Trisakti, oppose the revisions as a threat to civil-military boundaries and democratic principles. Government officials maintain the changes align with democracy, human rights, and national security needs without restoring past doctrines.

Image Credits

Lingkaran.id. “Demo Tolak Revisi UU TNI, Mahasiswa Mengalami Luka dan Dilarikan ke Rumah Sakit.” Lingkaran, n.d., lingkaran.id/politik/demo-tolak-revisi-uu-tni-mahasiswa-mengalami-luka-dan-dilarikan-ke-rumah-sakit. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

Works Cited

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights. “Southeast Asian Lawmakers Sound the Alarm: Indonesia’s TNI Law Amendments Undermine Democracy and Human Rights.” ASEAN MPs for Human Rights, n.d., aseanmp.org/publications/post/southeast-asian-lawmakers-sound-the-alarm-indonesias-tni-law-amendments-undermine-democracy-and-human-rights. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

Deutsche Welle. “Indonesia’s Military Role Grows, Raising Concerns.” DW, n.d., www.dw.com/en/indonesias-military-role-grows-raising-concerns/a-72045129. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

Jakarta Post. “House Passes Contentious TNI Law Amendments.” The Jakarta Post, 20 Mar. 2025, www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2025/03/20/house-passes-contentious-tni-law-amendments.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

Library of Congress. “Indonesia: Parliament Passes Controversial Amendments to Law on the Military.” Global Legal Monitor, 27 May 2025, www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2025-05-27/indonesia-parliament-passes-controversial-amendments-to-law-on-the-military/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

Universitas Gadjah Mada. “Military Dominance in Proposed TNI Law Revision Threatens Indonesia’s Civil-Military Relations.” Universitas Gadjah Mada, n.d., ugm.ac.id/en/news/military-dominance-in-proposed-tni-law-revision-threatens-indonesias-civil-military-relations. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

TNI Law Amendments: Indonesia's Military Expansion in Civilian Roles