Indonesia's parliament approved amendments to the country’s military law on Thursday, granting more civilian roles to military officers, sparking protests from students and activists who fear a return to the authoritarian practices of the past.

Civil society groups have strongly opposed the changes, arguing they could undermine democracy and bring back elements of the ‘New Order’ regime of former President Suharto, when military influence permeated civilian governance.

The revisions were passed unanimously in a plenary session led by Speaker Puan Maharani, who defended the law as being in line with democratic values, human rights, and civilian authority.

President Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander under Suharto who assumed office last October, has expanded military involvement in civilian affairs, including overseeing his flagship free meal program for children. Rights groups warn that increasing military influence in non-defense sectors could lead to unchecked power, human rights violations, and a lack of accountability.

Government officials clarified that under the new law, officers must resign from active service before taking civilian roles in institutions such as the Attorney General’s Office. However, concerns remain over military personnel potentially occupying positions in state-owned enterprises—an issue that was left unaddressed in the amendments, according to lawmaker Nico Siahaan, who was involved in the legislative discussions.

Evan Laksmana, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, criticized the law for failing to tackle core military challenges, such as improving training resources and modernizing military equipment. He also noted that raising the retirement age for officers could stifle career progression, potentially diminishing professionalism within the ranks.

Following the law’s passage, hundreds of students gathered outside the parliamentary complex in Jakarta, some setting tires on fire and attempting to breach the gates, as seen in television footage. Protesters held signs reading, “New Order Strikes Back” and “Return the Military to the Barracks.”

Usman Hamid, head of Amnesty International Indonesia and a former activist against Suharto’s regime, warned that the country risks backsliding into past authoritarian practices. “Activists were abducted, and some never returned home. Today, it feels like we are moving backward,” he said.

Some protesters had camped outside the parliamentary complex since Wednesday night, demanding an end to military involvement in civilian governance. Police attempted to disperse them, but many refused to leave, a protester told Reuters anonymously.

Military personnel were deployed inside the parliamentary building to reinforce security alongside the police.

Defending the law, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin argued that “geopolitical shifts and advancements in military technology necessitate military transformation” to address both conventional and unconventional security threats, though he provided no further details.