TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

25 years of reforms: Indonesia’s democracy back on slippery slope

Twenty-five years after the fall of the autocratic New Order regime, hard-won civil liberties are under attack as the military eyes a return to prominence and past rights abuses are left unsolved.

Dio Suhenda (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Mon, May 22, 2023

Share This Article

Change Size

25 years of reforms: Indonesia’s democracy back on slippery slope A student walks past the May 12 Reformation Park in Grogol, West Jakarta, in this file photo taken in 2020. The park was built in memory of the four students who were killed in a peace rally demanding reforms in May 1998. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
Versi Bahasa Indonesia

T

wenty-five years since the start of the Reform era, which had carried the hopes for democracy and stronger civil rights, the nation finds itself in a familiar position, with renewed efforts to bring back what observers fear to be the hallmarks of the autocratic New Order regime.

Beginning on May 12, 1998, Jakarta was consumed by ten days of racially-charged rioting that shook the entire country, sparked by a student-led peace march that went awry. Four Trisakti University students were shot to death by security apparatus and chaos ensued.

Soeharto eventually stepped down on May 21 that year, and the Indonesian armed forces crucially stepped away from their role in civilian affairs, allowing democracy to flourish.

But now, hard-won civil liberties are under attack and the Indonesian Military (TNI) eyes a return to prominence through a proposed revision to a law that, if passed, may see even more active and retired military officers enter politics and the civilian bureaucracy.

“The democracy we fought for is one where the TNI is responsible solely for protecting the nation’s sovereignty from foreign threats,” Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid told The Jakarta Post.

“But if the military is allowed once again to return [to public office], it will become a threat to the country’s democracy, since it puts soldiers back in front of the people,” said Usman, who was a Trisakti student at the time of the riots.

Morning Brief

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day's most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

The proposed TNI Law revision is the latest attempt, activists say, to further entrench the military in civilian life, following last year’s move by the Home Ministry to install active and retiring officers as interim regional leaders in a process that many had deemed lacking in transparency.

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

25 years of reforms: Indonesia’s democracy back on slippery slope

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000
{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.