Indonesia has entered an authoritarian pivot under Prabowo Subianto, who has been in power since late 2024 after a long political ascent.

Governing under Prabowo features mass arrests of protesters and greater military influence over policy areas like health and agriculture, evoking memories of Suharto-era governance.

A September 2025 Kompas advertisement framed the military’s expanded civil role as an official component of national defense strategy, signaling government endorsement.

The military’s role is widening into civilian spheres, with public campaigns and state-backed civilian projects underpinning a broader “global defense” approach.

Prabowo’s rise involved strategic alliances and a prior defeat in elections, culminating in victory in 2024 despite past human rights concerns and periods of exile.