When the Camouflage Corps “Guards” the Demonstration at the Southeast Sulawesi Adhyaksa Headquarters

Two officers in full TNI-AD uniform were stationed at the entrance of the Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office. Right in front of them, a demonstration was taking place. The military presence at this dark brown corps headquarters continues to raise questions and controversy.

Dozens of people gathered in front of the gate of the South East Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office, precisely at noon, Thursday (15/5/2025). They shouted slogans, burned tires, and attempted to force their way into the office, which had been tightly closed, leaving only a small door. The crowd demanded that the investigation into the mining corruption case be conducted impartially.

Among the internal security personnel, most of whom were dressed in dark brown uniforms, two individuals appeared different. Dressed in green camouflage, they were members of the Army from Korem 143/Halu Oleo who were stationed at the South East Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office. Together with the internal officers, they helped to repel demonstrators who wished to enter the office area.

Nuzul, one of the participants in the demonstration, observed members of the military who were also guarding the event. He felt puzzled as to why there were military personnel present at other institutions in a non-urgent situation. In fact, they even attempted to disperse the demonstrators.

"The prosecutor's office has its own security, why should there be soldiers?" he asked. He continued, "It seems that we are being confronted by the military. In fact, we are here for a peaceful action."

The action took place peacefully, although there were moments of tug-of-war. One soldier was stationed at the entrance, blocking demonstrators who attempted to break through. Another soldier stood behind, providing mutual protection.

Ten minutes later, representatives of the demonstration were received by the East Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office. The TNI members were also seen attending the meeting, taking videos, and monitoring from the front door. There was no smile on their faces.

The Head of the Legal Information and Public Relations Section of the Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office, Dody, stated that the presence of two military personnel in the region is not a new matter. This has been ongoing for approximately two years.

“At that time, the leadership wanted the situation to be conducive. Therefore, we collaborated with Korem 143/Halu Oleo to assist in maintaining the conduciveness in the Kejati area. It was not about maintaining order, but rather providing assistance,” Dody stated when met during the action.

In 2023, it was reported that a demonstration turned chaotic, resulting in one person being struck by an arrow. Demonstrations regularly take place in the region of the South East Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office. These range from village corruption cases to the more frequent allegations of corruption in mining.

According to Dody, two soldiers are on standby every day. They take turns on duty each day. The personnel are designated by the Korem Halu Oleo. This security measure is not due to a telegram from the Attorney General's Office for military protection. His side is still awaiting technical instructions regarding the new directives.

"It was mentioned that the High Prosecutor's Office is guarded by 30 personnel, while the District Prosecutor's Office is guarded by 10 personnel. We do not yet know the technical details, but we have been collaborating more with the military as partners in the region," he stated.

The Head of Information of Korem 143/Halu Oleo, Captain La Ode Sadiran, who was contacted regarding this matter, has not yet been able to provide a complete statement. "We are waiting for instructions. Once we have them, we will convey it," he said on Friday morning.

As reported, Telegram Letter Number: ST/1192/2025 dated May 6, 2025, assigns the ranks of the Army to prepare and deploy personnel along with their equipment to secure the high prosecutor's office (kejati) and the district prosecutor's office (kejari). This telegram is based on the Telegram Letter from the Commander of the Armed Forces Number TR/422/2025 dated May 5, which orders the deployment of personnel to support the security of kejati and kejari throughout Indonesia.

The details are as follows: one unit at the platoon level (SST) consisting of 30 personnel will be deployed to secure the high prosecutor's office, while for the district prosecutor's office, one team equivalent to 10 personnel will be assigned for security.

The Head of the Legal Information Center of the Attorney General's Office, Harli Siregar, stated on Wednesday (14/5/2025) that the Attorney General's Office and the military have a memorandum of understanding containing 8 points of agreement. One of the agreed points concerns the support provided by the military for the duties and functions of the Attorney General's Office.

"Yes, one of them is from the security side. That is what was realized in yesterday's telegram," said Harli.

In a written statement, the Head of the TNI Information Center Major General Kristomei Sianturi stated that the assistance of the TNI to the prosecutor's office is part of the official cooperation between the TNI and the Attorney General's Office of the Republic of Indonesia, as outlined in Memorandum of Understanding Number NK/6/IV/2023/TNI dated April 6, 2023. There are 8 areas of cooperation between the two institutions.

"All forms of support from the military are carried out based on official requests and measurable needs, while still adhering to the applicable legal provisions," said Kristomei (Kompas, Wednesday 14/5/2025).

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Setara Institute, Hendardi, stated that there are no objective conditions indicating that the security of civil law enforcement institutions, such as the prosecutor's office, requires personnel support from the military, whether from Combat Units or Support Units. The security support for the Prosecutor's Office by the military raises questions about the political motives behind it, particularly concerning the ongoing Prosecutor's Bill and the Criminal Procedure Code Bill, as well as law enforcement within the Prosecutor's Office.

"The prosecution should understand that they are part of the criminal justice system, which should be entirely a civil institution. Involving the military in all elements of the criminal justice system clearly contradicts civil supremacy and the rule of law," he said.

There is no urgency or relevance for the defense and security forces of the state to guard civil institutions every day, and they are even involved in securing demonstration actions. Moreover, there are daily operational matters concerning the soldiers on duty.

Hariman Satria, a law lecturer at Muhammadiyah University Kendari, revealed that the phenomenon of the prosecutor's office being guarded by the military is a step backward for democracy. This is because, in 1998, it was agreed that the Dual Function of the Armed Forces would be abolished, and the military would be returned to the barracks. However, currently, the military is beginning to appear in civilian institutions and is directly confronting civil society.

According to Hariman, the presence of the military guarding the prosecutor's office, such as at the East Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office, is a regrettable step. This is because there is no urgency or relevance in having the national defense and security forces protect a civilian institution on a daily basis, even being involved in securing demonstration actions. Moreover, there are concerns regarding the daily operations of the soldiers on duty.

"The most important question is, are we at war? Are we surrounded by terrorists? We are not. If there have been chaotic demonstrations resulting in casualties, then let the police handle it. Why must it involve the military? I believe we all need to return to the constitution, and President Prabowo must evaluate this matter. Because, if this continues, civil society will once again be confronted with the military in public spaces," he stated.

For citizens who wish to voice their aspirations like Nuzul, he does not want to be confronted with the military in every action at civil institutions. This is because he feels influenced and pressured beforehand when the military intervenes in the peaceful actions being expressed. "It feels like a military emergency now," he said.