A quiet unease has settled over Jakarta, and indeed, several major cities. It’s not just the usual city hum. There’s a new, heavy presence of soldiers and police on the streets. This show of force has many people worried, from professors to everyday folks chatting online. They fear the government might be getting ready to declare martial law.
This tension has been building for a while. A week of protests against special benefits for lawmakers stirred things up. Then, a tragic incident last Thursday truly sparked anger. A police car hit a motorcycle taxi driver, who sadly died. This event sent ripples of dissatisfaction through the population.
In response, the government sent military personnel to key spots around the city. You can see them near the National Monument, the Presidential Palace, and various government ministries. Even large shopping centers have seen an increased security presence. Just on September 3, over 3,000 personnel were on duty. More than 500 soldiers were specifically stationed around the Parliament building. All this happened while the military was also conducting a joint “Super Garuda Shield” exercise with foreign armies.
Organizations are speaking up loudly. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation has called on President Prabowo Subianto, who also serves as the Defense Minister, to pull back the troops right away. They believe such a large military presence goes beyond what the constitution allows. Al Araf, a human rights researcher from the Impartial organization, agrees. He argues that the police are perfectly capable of handling the situation. Giving too much power to the military without clear rules is a dangerous path, he warned. Online, the hashtag #DaruratMiliter is trending, showing just how much public anxiety exists about martial law.
However, the military has tried to calm these fears. General Tandyo Budi Rewita, the Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, strongly denied the rumors. He stated clearly that there is “no intention to seize power.” He explained that the police remain the main force for security. The military’s role, he added, is only to support them when the President gives the order.
Despite these assurances, a large group of academics remains concerned. More than 300 university professors from across the country released a joint statement on Monday. They stood firm against the idea of declaring martial law. They believe it would suppress people’s freedom and seriously harm the principles of democracy in their nation. The situation remains delicate, with many eyes watching closely.