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UPDATED at 8:12 a.m. ET on 2025-03-20

Amendments to Indonesia’s military law that would allow active-duty officers to expand their footprint in civilian government agencies have left democracy watchers in a tizzy. 

Indonesian lawmakers fast-tracked discussions on a bill to revise the law and put in controversial new provisions. On March 20, Parliament passed the bill while most Indonesians were still fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan. 

Critics warn these provisions could undo fragile democratic gains after Southeast Asia’s largest country began transitioning in the late 1990s away from decades of authoritarian rule.

The legislature is largely controlled by allies of President Prabowo Subianto – a former army general with ties to the past authoritarian New Order era. It was overseen by the dictator Suharto, another ex-general, who ruled for 32 years before he fell from power in 1998.

This item has been updated to reflect news that the bill has been adopted into law.