Media Service
CampusNet – Indonesia, a land that has endured the tides of history, now stands at a crossroads once again. The proposed revision of the TNI Law (Undang-Undang Tentara Nasional Indonesia) has stirred not only debate. But a deeper reckoning with the nation’s democratic ideals.
It is not merely an amendment to legislation—it is a reflection of power, control, and the fragile balance between authority and the people it claims to protect.
At its core, the revision seeks to expand the military’s role beyond defense. Granting active officers greater authority in civilian institutions, but history is not so easily forgotten. The ghosts of the New Order, when military presence permeated every aspect of governance, linger in the nation’s collective memory.
We have seen what happens when the lines blur between the protector and the ruler. When democracy becomes a stage where power plays out its well-rehearsed monologue.
A Return to the Past?
To accept this revision without scrutiny would be to ignore the lessons of the past. For decades, Indonesia fought to separate military and civilian affairs, believing that democracy could only thrive when governance was left to the hands of the people, not the barracks. The reformasi era was not merely a transition but a promise—that no longer would armed power dictate civilian life, that no longer would the nation bow to a uniform instead of the constitution.
Yet here we are again, standing on the precipice of a familiar descent. The justification is wrapped in the language of necessity—expanding the military’s role is framed as a solution to governance gaps, a means of efficiency. But history has taught us that unchecked power rarely remains benevolent. What begins as convenience soon morphs into control.
The Fragility of Democracy
A democracy is only as strong as its people’s vigilance. Power, when left unquestioned, grows unchecked. If the revisions proceed without careful limitations, Indonesia may wake to a reality where military influence seeps once more into the veins of civilian rule. Where uniformed officers dictate policies, where governance bends to command rather than consensus.
We must ask ourselves: is this the democracy we fought for? Does security require submission? Can a nation truly be free when those meant to defend it also wield its highest authority?
A Reckoning Ahead
The law is more than words on paper; it is the architecture of a nation’s future. The path Indonesia takes now will determine whether its democracy remains a thriving entity or a relic of the past. Will we question, resist, and demand accountability? Or will we, in the name of stability, allow history to repeat itself?
The choice is before us, and history watches with bated breath.