The revised TNI Law received unanimous approval in parliament on March 20, 2025, and was promulgated in the State Gazette on March 26, 2025112, 113. The amendment sparked grave concern among civil society groups, who fear Indonesia could return to the era of Suharto, the dictator who ruled the country for more than 30 years until his regime fell in 1998. During Suharto’s era, known as the New Order, the military exercised a “dual function,” or dwifungsi, meaning that, in addition to defending the country, it also played a formal role in civilian administration114. Following the collapse of Suharto’s regime—marked by widespread human rights abuses and systematic corruption—Indonesia entered a period known as Reformasi, a democratic transition toward greater political openness and accountability. During this period, the dwifungsi doctrine was formally abolished, and the military was banned from political office following the enactment of Law No. 34 of 2004115. Among the populist policies of Prabowo’s administration is the controversial Free Nutritious Meal program. Due to its high cost, estimated at around USD 28 billion annually, part of the program’s budget has been financed by cuts to education and infrastructure, sparking public backlash116. The initial budget cuts, announced in January 2025, totaled 306.7 trillion rupiah (USD 18.7 billion)117. The budget for the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology was reportedly reduced by a quarter to 42.3 trillion rupiah (USD 2.6 billion)118. By the end of 2025, the program was reported to have absorbed about 74.6 percent of the state budget119. The program also involves the military, as Indonesia’s archipelagic geography means that some areas are difficult to reach. The armed forces are viewed as the only state institution capable of ensuring the distribution of meals to remote regions120. This reliance Salam, Hidayat. “New TNI Law Enacted, What Are the Changes and Impacts?” Kompas.id, 18 Apr. 2025, www.kompas.id/artikel/en-uu-tni-baru-diberlakukan-apa-saja-perubahan-dan-dampaknya. 113. “House Passes Contentious TNI Law Amendments.” The Jakarta Post. 20 Mar. 2025, www.thejakartapost. com/indonesia/2025/03/20/house-passes-contentious-tni-law-amendments.html. 114. Yuniar, Resty Woro. “Indonesia’s Military Once Called All the Shots. It May Again Under Prabowo.” South China Morning Post, 17 Mar. 2025, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3302461/indonesiasmilitary-once-called-all-shots-it-may-again-under-prabowo. 115. “Revision of the TNI Law Could Potentially Restore the Dual Function of the Armed Forces (ABRI) – Why Is There Still Trauma From the Militarism of the New Order Era?” BBC News Indonesia, 15 Mar. 2025, www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cm2jr4r5meyo. 116. Sood, Amy. “Will the ‘Dark Indonesia’ Protest Against Prabowo’s Austerity Cuts Escalate Further?” South China Morning Post, 26 Feb. 2025, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3300172/will-darkindonesia-protests-against-prabowos-austerity-cuts-escalate-further. 117. Ibid. 118. Ibid. 119. “Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal Program Absorbs 74.6% of Budget.” Tempo.co, 18 Dec. 2025, en.tempo. co/read/2074584/indonesias-free-nutritious-meal-program-absorbs-74-6-of-budget. 112. 33