Water cannon break up Indonesia military law protests

Protesters are sprayed with water cannons by the police during a demonstration against a revision to the armed forces law in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta on March 27, 2025. The Indonesian parliament approved the amendment of the military law on March 20, despite protests that it would expand the armed forces' role in civilian affairs. The revision to the armed forces law, pushed mainly by President Prabowo Subianto's coalition, was aimed at expanding the military's role beyond defence in a country long influenced by its powerful armed forces. -- Photo by AZWAR IPANK / AFP

JAKARTA (AFP): Indonesian police fired water cannons Thursday (March 27) to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital Jakarta angry at a newly passed military law, AFP reporters said.

The protests are the latest since parliament approved the amendment of a law last week to allow members of the military to hold more government roles -- which critics said would expand military authority over civilian affairs.