Prabowo hosts massive military parade amid expansion fears

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, accompanied by Indonesia's Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Military Chief Agus Subiyanto, stands on a military vehicle while inspecting the troops during the 80th Indonesian National Armed Forces' (TNI) anniversary celebrations at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 5, 2025. - Reuters

JAKARTA: President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday (Oct 5) led a large anniversary celebration of the Indonesian Military (TNI), marking its 80th year with a grand parade, even as fears mount that the military’s growing influence could bring the nation back to an authoritarian, military-dominated era.

In his address at the celebration held at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, Prabowo hailed the TNI as “the backbone” of national defence and “the guarantor” of the country’s sovereignty, saying that the military continues to play an important role in protecting natural resources that are vital for Indonesia's development.