Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has sought to tamp down growing public unease over his administration’s direction, insisting in a rare media interview that recent defence reforms are misunderstood – but civil society groups say his comments have done little to allay fears of democratic backsliding.
In a round-table session held at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on April 6, the president fielded questions from senior editors at seven of Indonesia’s top news outlets. First Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Angga Raka said the interview’s questions were unscripted and that the president took part without any prior briefing.
Just over 150 days into his presidency, Prabowo has faced two waves of nationwide protests – one over his economic policies and another over a controversial revision to military law.
In March, the Indonesian parliament – controlled by Prabowo’s ruling coalition – passed changes to the military law that expand the armed forces’ role in civilian institutions. The move was widely seen as a show of Prabowo’s political dominance, with critics warning it signalled an effort to restore military influence over civilian affairs and undo reforms that once drew a clear line between defence and governance.
Demonstrators took to the streets in cities from Jakarta to Aceh and South Kalimantan, voicing fears of democratic regression. Many warned that the revision could mark a return to dwifungsi, or dual function – a doctrine from former strongman Suharto’s 32-year “New Order” regime that allowed the military to control both national security and civilian administration.
