Habibie Democracy Dialogue

Details

The dynamics of democracy and national politics have again become a public concern following the passing of amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army (TNI) on March 20, 2025. The legislative process in the amendment process is considered to have taken place so quickly and with minimal public involvement without following the standard legislative process. Thus, it has drawn critical responses in various forms from civil society. In addition to ignoring the principles of transparent and participatory legislation, this ratification also triggered civil society concerns about the strengthening of militarization and the potential for overlapping authority in state governance.

The process of amending the TNI Law is seen as potentially blurring the lines between defense and civilian functions that could eliminate civilian supremacy in state governance, although some members of the House of Representatives have made it clear that this is not a cause for concern. Many think that this creates a dystopia of military rule - so familiar to Indonesia in the past and currently occurring in many countries under military junta.

Concerns about the loss of the democratic frame are also aligned with reforms in the defense, security and political sectors by the DPR RI. This is in line with plans to discuss other strategic laws such as the Police Law, Criminal Procedure Code, Attorney General's Office and various political laws, including the Election and Regional Head Election Laws. In this context, the strategic role of various stakeholders, not only the legislature, but also the government, academics, and other elements of civil society, has an important role in guarding and ensuring that national security and political reforms are implemented within the framework of democracy.

To open space between the government and civil society, structuring an open and constructive dialogue space is increasingly relevant in responding to these dynamics. As a contribution to this effort, The Habibie Center, supported by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Indonesia and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, will organize the third series of Democracy Dialogue in 2025 entitled “Navigating the Security and Political Reforms within the Framework of Democracy” to encourage dialogue between stakeholders.

📍 Venue: The Habibie Center Building – South Jakarta