Military Moves: Inside Indonesia's New Legislation

Indonesia has introduced a revised bill in parliament permitting President Prabowo Subianto to appoint military personnel to civilian posts, provided they retire from service first. Amendments respond to public concerns over military influence reminiscent of the Suharto era's dual-function doctrine.

Indonesia's government unveiled a revised version of controversial legislation allowing President Prabowo Subianto to appoint military personnel to civilian roles, officials announced. The changes stipulate that soldiers must retire before taking civilian positions.

The initial draft, introduced earlier this year, sparked concern by permitting active military officers to fill civilian roles, harking back to Suharto's 'dwifungsi' doctrine. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed the amendment after parliamentary discussions.

The new law, expected to pass soon, maintains soldiers' eligibility for specific positions but mandates retirement first. Rights activists remain vocal, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance to prevent undue military influence.

(With inputs from agencies.)