Latest news with #DjakaBudhiUtama
CNA
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Fiercest outcry yet of Prabowo placing uniformed men in civilian posts, as convicted army general becomes customs chief
JAKARTA: An active military general previously convicted of kidnapping pro-democracy activists was appointed on Friday (May 23) to a key role in Indonesia's Finance Ministry, sparking what observers say is the fiercest criticism yet of President Prabowo Subianto's moves to place senior uniformed personnel in top civilian roles. The swearing-in of Lieutenant General Djaka Budhi Utama as director-general of Indonesia's customs and excise office also heightens fears of a return to the days of Suharto's rule, when the military had far-reaching control over civilian life, the experts also say. Previously a senior official at the State Intelligence Agency, the 57-year-old Djaka joins a growing list of active military or police officers given strategic government roles since Prabowo – himself a retired general – took office last October. That same month, the president appointed Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya as cabinet secretary, a minister-level position. Teddy was Prabowo's aide during his time as defence minister from 2019 to 2024. At least six active military officials have since been appointed to various roles in ministries, agencies and state-owned enterprises. On Monday, an active police officer, Inspector General Mohammad Iqbal, was appointed secretary-general of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), one of two parliamentary chambers of Indonesia. Their appointments have incited worry that Indonesia is returning to the days of the authoritarian rule of Suharto, who governed from 1968 until 1998. The Suharto era saw the military in control of nearly every aspect of civilian life until a student movement forced him to resign on May 21, 1998. Suharto was also Prabowo's father-in-law. Djaka's appointment, however, has sparked greater concern among activists and experts because of his previous conviction and the technical role he has been given. His is also one of the most senior roles handed to an active military officer under Prabowo's watch. DJAKA HAS RESIGNED FROM MILITARY, SAYS MINISTER In 1999, Djaka and 10 other members of the special forces' 'Rose Team' were found guilty by a military tribunal for the 1997-1998 kidnapping of 22 pro-democracy activists who were critical of then-president Suharto. To this day, 13 of these activists are still missing. Djaka, then an infantry captain, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in the kidnappings. Despite this, he got to keep his job in the military. The other defendants were sentenced to 16 to 22 months in prison. 'Victims and their families have been fighting for justice for decades. How can victims get the justice they deserve when perpetrators are given strategic government positions?' Ardi Manto Adiputra, director of human rights advocacy group Imparsial, told CNA. Prabowo, too, is accused of being involved in a number of human rights abuse cases, including the kidnappings. Although he never faced any charges, Prabowo was discharged from the military shortly after Suharto fell from power in 1998. Djaka was Prabowo's subordinate when the latter led the Army's special forces command in the 1990s, which also sparked concerns among experts that the president is less interested in installing the best man for the job and more about rewarding loyalists with strategic posts. To be sure, Prabowo's predecessors have also allowed active soldiers to take up civilian posts. But they have usually been limited to roles involving security, law enforcement, intelligence and disaster mitigation. Since its founding in 1972, chiefs of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) have been active generals. Meanwhile the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), which was founded in 2008, has been helmed by active generals since 2019. In March, Indonesia's parliament, which is controlled by Prabowo's coalition of parties, passed a revision to the law on the military, formally allowing active military officers to assume roles in 14 government ministries and agencies without first resigning. The revision sparked widespread demonstrations across Indonesia, some of which ended in violent standoffs between protesters and security officials. But the finance ministry is not among the 14 public offices allowed under the new law, and experts said Djaka must resign from active duty in the military. According to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who was quoted by Antara news agency on Friday, Djaka submitted his resignation before he was sworn in. The Indonesian armed forces have not responded to CNA's request for confirmation regarding Djaka's status in the military. 'ARE THERE NO CIVILIANS MORE QUALIFIED?' The other area of controversy is the opaqueness of Djaka's appointment and whether there was no technocrat better suited for the role. 'Why (Djaka)? Why appoint a general? Are there no civilians who are more qualified? Was Djaka appointed simply because of his closeness to Prabowo?' questioned Al Araf, chairman of security and human rights research group Centra Initiative. News that Djaka was set to be the new customs director came on Tuesday when he was summoned to meet Prabowo at the State Palace in Jakarta. Also summoned was Bimo Wijayanto, a civilian bureaucrat who was also sworn in on Friday as the new director-general of the finance ministry's taxation office. According to Detik news portal, Bimo later told reporters that he and Djaka met the president as they were to assume 'new roles at the finance ministry'. Djaka declined to speak to the media. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Friday that Prabowo wanted to see the pair because their roles are vital to bringing in state revenue. 'Djaka's presence provides an added value which we hope can support and enhance the Finance Ministry's ability to coordinate with law enforcers and other institutions better and more effectively,' Sri Mulyani said of the three star general's military background. But questions persist over whether he is qualified for the role. 'It is true that there are problems like corruption and the smuggling of illegal goods which requires someone with an iron fist,' said Bhima Yudhistira, executive director of the think-tank Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios). 'But being a customs chief also requires sufficient knowledge of the economy so they can formulate the right policy and strategy to increase state revenue without burdening businesses and consumers too much,' Bhima told CNA. 'The appointment of a military man with little economic experience sends the wrong message to businesses and investors. They need competent people to helm strategic economic roles so they know that Indonesia's economy is in the right hands.' In recent months, Prabowo's policies, such as backtracking on a planned value-added tax hike that would have boosted government revenue, have rattled investors. Meanwhile, Djaka's appointment suggests the Prabowo administration will not restrict the presence of military or police personnel to the 14 ministries and agencies allowed by law, analysts said. 'The Prabowo administration keeps on saying that it is not militarising the government, that the military will only have additional roles in 14 ministries and agencies,' Human Rights Watch's Indonesian researcher Andreas Harsono said. 'It says a lot about not only the intention of President Prabowo to revive the Suharto period with many active military officers in civilian roles,' Andreas added. 'It also exposes cynicism that Prabowo could make someone with a checkered past like Djaka to head the customs office.'
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Convicted general set to get key finance ministry post in Indonesia
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was dismissed from the military following allegations of human rights abuses. (EPA Images pic) JAKARTA : Indonesia is expected to appoint a military officer – once found guilty of kidnapping rights activists – to a top finance ministry post, two sources said, underlining the military's growing role in governing the world's third-largest democracy. The appointment, expected to be formalised by the finance minister tomorrow, is the most prominent civilian post given to a military officer since the government in March gave legal cover to such postings, which rights groups fear could take Indonesia back towards authoritarian rule. Lieutenant-general Djaka Budhi Utama, who was a member of the army's special forces in the 1990s when they were commanded by president Prabowo Subianto, is expected to head the customs and excise unit of the revenue department, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The sources asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media on the issue. The president's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, nor did a military spokesman. The finance ministry declined to comment. Past local media reports say that Utama and several members of the special forces' 'Rose Team' were found guilty of kidnapping and forcefully disappearing rights activists in the 1990s during the rule of Suharto, the general turned authoritarian president who was overthrown in 1998. Utama was sentenced in 1999 to one year and four months in jail after a military trial, according to local media reports, but it is unclear if he served any time in prison. He remained in the military despite the conviction. 'This is a rollback of Indonesia's democratic reform,' Amnesty International Indonesia's Usman Hamid told Reuters, also pointing out that, even under the new law, military personnel posted in several civilian positions, including under the finance ministry, had to retire first. Utama remains in active service. 'This is clear evidence of ignorance towards the victims' rights,' said Ardi Manto Adiputra from rights group Imparsial. Utama has also held posts in other ministries, but those were related to security, unlike his expected finance ministry posting. 'To lead the customs unit, it should be someone who understands the complexity of customs issues,' Jahen Rezki, an economist at University of Indonesia, said, questioning the appointment. Prabowo, who took office last October, was dismissed from the military following allegations of human rights abuses – though there were no formal charges.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Indonesia appoints former military officer as head of customs and excise
JAKARTA, May 23 (Reuters) - Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Friday appointed retired Lieutenant General Djaka Budhi Utama, a former military officer who was once found guilty of kidnapping rights activists, as the head of the country's customs and excise unit. Sri Mulyani also appointed Bimo Wijayanto, a civil servant who was previously posted to the tax office, investment ministry and president's chief of staff, as the new head of the tax office. Human rights activists had raised concerns about Utama's appointment, in part because before Friday's ceremony he was still thought to be an active military officer. Under Indonesian law, military personnel are barred from holding some civilian posts, including in the Finance Ministry. However, during the inauguration ceremony, a presentation detailing his profile referred to Utama as a retired Lieutenant General. Having retired from the military, he would be eligible to hold the post.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Convicted Indonesian military general set to get key finance ministry post
JAKARTA: Indonesia is expected to appoint a military officer – once found guilty of kidnapping rights activists – to a top finance ministry post, two sources said, underlining the military's growing role in governing the world's third largest democracy. The appointment, expected to be formalised by the finance minister on Friday (May 23), is the most prominent civilian post given to a military officer since the government in March gave legal cover to such postings, which rights groups fear could take Indonesia back towards authoritarian rule. Lieutenant General Djaka Budhi Utama, who was a member of the army's special forces in the 1990s when they were commanded by President Prabowo Subianto, is expected to head the customs and excise unit of the revenue department, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The sources asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media on the issue. The president's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, nor did a military spokesperson. The finance ministry declined to comment. Past local media reports say that Utama and several members of the special forces' "Rose Team" were found guilty of kidnapping and forcefully disappearing rights activists in the 1990s during the rule of Suharto, the general turned authoritarian president who was overthrown in 1998. Utama was sentenced in 1999 to one year and four months in jail after a military trial, according to local media reports, but it is unclear if he served any time in prison. He remained in the military despite the conviction. "This is a rollback of Indonesia's democratic reform," Amnesty International Indonesia's Usman Hamid told Reuters, also pointing out that, even under the new law, military personnel posted in several civilian positions, including under the finance ministry, had to retire first. Utama remains in active service. "This is clear evidence of ignorance towards the victims' rights," said Ardi Manto Adiputra from rights group Imparsial. Utama has also held posts in other ministries, but those were related to security, unlike his expected finance ministry posting. "To lead the customs unit, it should be someone who understands the complexity of customs issues," Jahen Rezki, an economist at University of Indonesia, said, questioning the appointment.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Convicted Indonesian military general set to get key finance ministry post
JAKARTA - Indonesia is expected to appoint a military officer - once found guilty of kidnapping rights activists - to a top finance ministry post, two sources said, underlining the military's growing role in governing the world's third largest democracy. The appointment, expected to be formalised by the finance minister on Friday, is the most prominent civilian post given to a military officer since the government in March gave legal cover to such postings, which rights groups fear could take Indonesia back towards authoritarian rule. Lieutenant General Djaka Budhi Utama, who was a member of the army's special forces in the 1990s when they were commanded by President Prabowo Subianto, is expected to head the customs and excise unit of the revenue department, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The sources asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media on the issue. The president's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, nor did a military spokesperson. The finance ministry declined to comment. Past local media reports say that Utama and several members of the special forces' "Rose Team" were found guilty of kidnapping and forcefully disappearing rights activists in the 1990s during the rule of Suharto, the general turned authoritarian president who was overthrown in 1998. Utama was sentenced in 1999 to one year and four months in jail after a military trial, according to local media reports, but it is unclear if he served any time in prison. He remained in the military despite the conviction. "This is a rollback of Indonesia's democratic reform," Amnesty International Indonesia's Usman Hamid told Reuters, also pointing out that, even under the new law, military personnel posted in several civilian positions, including under the finance ministry, had to retire first. Utama remains in active service. "This is clear evidence of ignorance towards the victims' rights," said Ardi Manto Adiputra from rights group Imparsial. Utama has also held posts in other ministries, but those were related to security, unlike his expected finance ministry posting. "To lead the customs unit, it should be someone who understands the complexity of customs issues," Jahen Rezki, an economist at University of Indonesia, said, questioning the appointment. Prabowo, who took office last October, was dismissed from the military following allegations of human rights abuses - though there were no formal charges. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
