Demonstration to Revoke TNI Law in Jakarta Turns Chaotic, Police Urge Protesters to Retreat

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – A protest by a coalition of civil society to reject the revision of the TNI Law in front of the Parliament Complex gates, Jakarta, on Thursday night (27/3/2025), ended in chaos. Police forcibly dispersed the protesters and even pursued them into the Senayan Park area, approximately 1 kilometer away from the protest site.

Police officers equipped with full gear pushed back eastward from the gates of the Parliamentary Complex around 6:30 PM WIB. However, just 15 minutes later, the situation escalated as officers began chasing the protest participants, accompanied by water cannon sprays from crowd-dispersal vehicles.

The protest crowd scattered in various directions. Some demonstrators entered the Senayan Park area, a shopping center on Jalan Gerbang Pemuda, located approximately 1 kilometer from the Parliament Complex.

After hearing instructions from the crowd dispersal command vehicle, the officers returned to their ranks. They then left the section of Jalan Gerbang Pemuda, and gradually, the road, which had been congested due to the commotion, returned to normal around 7:00 PM WIB.

The protest masses from the civil society coalition demanded the revocation of the revision of the TNI Law due to concerns that it might revive the dual function of the TNI as practiced during the New Order era. The term "Dark Indonesia" was also used in this protest.

Before eventually being forcibly dispersed by the police, protest participants began arriving around 3:00 PM WIB. Most of them were dressed entirely in black. Many were already prepared, wearing masks, head protection, and eye coverings.

In their speech, several protest participants criticized the decision of the DPR and the government to revise the TNI Law without involving the public extensively. Several civilian positions still held by the military have raised public concerns about the expanding role of the military in the civilian sphere following the revision of the TNI Law.

"Indeed, there is nothing written that states the dual function of the TNI. But, what about the implied meanings? When this revision was discussed, the public also could not access it, so people did not know what would affect their lives. What would happen if the military got in so deep," said a speech by one of the protesters who did not want to be named.

Social media activist Ferry Irwandi also attended the action. He said that the demonstration was a form of public unrest towards the militaristic elements that still exist in the government.

"Although in its ratification it has been emphasized that there is no dual function, there are still rubber articles and it is a concern. If this government wants to move forward, everyone is in their respective portions and maintains civil sovereignty," he said.

Therefore, Ferry supports the push from the demonstration to revoke the revised TNI Law. Policymakers, he continued, are expected to listen to the voice of the public for the good of the nation.

"All elements of society want this country to be better. I also want my child to go to school until adulthood here in peace," said Ferry.

As the afternoon wore on, the atmosphere became increasingly heated. Moreover, a number of demonstrators burned a motorbike with a police license plate, while its driver almost became the target of the mob's fury.

It is not known whether the motorcyclist is a police officer or not because he is wearing grey clothing without any attributes or police uniform.

Luckily, some participants managed to save the man wearing a gray jacket and carrying several food boxes. He was asked to move away from his motorbike because the mob's anger began to focus on the vehicle.

One of the fences next to the Senayan Complex gate was also almost broken by the protesters. Some of the protesters also damaged the surveillance cameras around the Parliament Complex gate.

Officers could only hold back until 17:00 WIB. After that, the crowd-dispersal car sprayed its water cannon several times towards the demonstrators who damaged the fence and fired firecrackers and Molotov cocktails into the Parliament Complex area.

For your information, demonstrations rejecting the revision of the TNI Law have been rolling since last week. The intensity of the demonstrations increased after the DPR approved the ratification of the revision of the TNI Law into law in the DPR Plenary Meeting, at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday (3/20/2025). Demonstrations did not only occur in Jakarta, but in many other cities.

Despite strong public resistance, the government and the DPR remain unmoved. The ratification process continues.

Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said that President Prabowo will soon sign the revised TNI Law as a form of ratification of the revised results into law.

Meanwhile, several days ago, House Speaker Puan Maharani asked the public to pay close attention to changes in the TNI Law before and after it was passed.

"So please let's all restrain ourselves and please read it, it's already on the DPR website and can be read by the public," he said.