TNI - Indonesia at Melbourne

Military-cleric alliance may fuel new anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Indonesia

Analysis, Gender, Human Rights, Religion, Security

Whatever political games are at play on this issue, efforts to frame LGBTQ people as a non-military threat and efforts to criminalise sexuality will only open more avenues for persecution, mostly for the underprivileged. It will likely be used as a pretext for security forces to further encroach on people’s privacy. In this scenario, everyone, not just the LGBTQ community, is at risk.

Is Jakarta turning into Gotham? How viral crime panics become pretext for expanding military visibility

Analysis, Security, Society

Moments of crime anxiety in Indonesia routinely trigger authoritarian nostalgia for Petrus‑style ‘shock therapy’. This is a reference to the early‑1980s ‘mysterious shootings’ campaign in which security forces carried out extrajudicial killings of thousands of alleged criminals as a projection of state authority.

Whitewashing military responsibility: disappointing verdicts in Andrie Yunus acid attack trial

Analysis, Human Rights, Politics, Security

In our view, military courts should not have jurisdiction to try members of the military and security forces for human rights violations. Military courts in Indonesia often lack the impartiality, independence, and transparency required under international legal standards for a fair trial. This case is a perfect example of the problem.

How Prabowo is expanding the military’s civilian role as an instrument of presidential rule

Analysis, Policies, Politics, Security

Under the Prabowo administration, the Indonesian military is becoming increasingly embedded in civilian policy implementation under direct presidential control.

Courtroom or comedy? Acid attack trial suggests renewed military impunity

Analysis, Law

The trial of Andrie Yunus’ acid attackers has demonstrated that the military remains a strong political force, similar to what it was before reforms began in 1998, but with a different level of visibility.

From barracks to Monas: TNI’s grandiose return to political centre stage

Analysis, Politics, Security

On 5 October 2024, the Indonesian National Military (TNI) celebrated its 79th anniversary with great fanfare at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta. Thousands of civilian onlookers flocked to see the ceremony, which received widespread media attention. Soldiers and military equipment moved down major thoroughfares towards the iconic monument during the city’s weekly car free day. Up to 100,000 military personnel took part in the event.

Sigi attack prompts another tug of war over counterterrorism policy

Politics, Security

If the military is going to be involved in efforts to combat terrorism, it is time for a deeper discussion on how it can be both effective and accountable.

Talking Indonesia: Covid-19 and the military

Politics, Public health, Security, Talking Indonesia

Has the military’s role in countering the pandemic altered the balance of civil-military relations? Dr Dave McRae explores this issue and more with Dr Evan Laksmana in Talking Indonesia.

There’s now proof that Soeharto orchestrated the 1965 killings

Analysis, Human Rights, Security

According to official government narratives, the military was forced to step in to save the nation from a coup on 1 October 1965. Drawing on her remarkable new book, Dr Jess Melvin explains how rather than reluctantly stepping in, Soeharto and the military used existing military chains of command to actively seize power.

Posts with tag: TNI