Mahfud MD Tells The TNI Many Use Brain Weighted Muscles In The New Order Era In Today's History, October 5, 2018

The Indonesian Air Force's F-16 fighter jet crossed the Monas Monument during the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force at Monas on October 5, 2025. (VOI/Karisa Aurelia Tukan)

JAKARTA History today, seven years ago, October 5, 2018, a national figure, Mahfud MD recounted the picture of the TNI in the New Order era. He considered the TNI often a tool for rulers. As a result, the TNI uses a lot of muscles rather than the brain when dealing with the people.

Previously, the regimes of Suharto and the New Order were known to be repressive. The power made political elites party. They neatly regulate the series of corruption. The people were sacrificed. Those who resisted then had to face the TNI.

Suharto's appearance in the national political map was warmly welcomed. He is considered a leader who is able to bring change. He is close to students. Also close to the Indonesian people.

Later when he came to power, Suharto became another figure. The Indonesian president seemed to give a distance between him and the people. He did not want to be criticized. He did not want to be regulated either. This condition made Suharto start placing the TNI as an accomplice who smoothed the authorities' wishes.

They are the accomplices of the government to maintain national stability and development. This condition often brings big problems. Anyone who does not agree with the New Order policy will be brushed off. Those who criticize the New Order also did not survive.

Students who criticize are being sought immediately. The space for expression is getting narrower. This condition brings trauma to those who are at odds with the government. Not to mention the role of the TNI in smoothing national development.

Many areas of residents were annexed. Take for example the construction of the Kedung Ombo Reservoir in Central Java. Local residents are asked to move. They are forced to get small compensation. Those who do not want to move are terrorized.

Sometimes the power of attorney does not hesitate to label them as PKI sympathizers. A disgrace that was considered great at that time. The same condition is also present in other conflicts. TNI is like a loyal accomplice to the authorities. In fact, what they are fighting is the people themselves.

The construction of the Kedung Ombo Reservoir (1985-1991) sank 37 villages in 7 sub-districts in Sragen Regency, Boyolali, Grobogan. A total of 5,268 families lost their land due to the construction of the reservoir. Residents are forced to receive compensation of Rp250 per meter2. More than 40 people have drowned, explained Rusna Nondi in the book Setot Cahaya in Darkness (2014).

Mahfud MD also recognized the position of the TNI AD as an accomplice to the authorities in the New Order era. The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) from the 2008-2013 era criticized the TNI from the New Order era as a person who used a lot of muscles rather than the brain on October 5, 2018.

Mahfud MD also thinks that the TNI has changed a lot now. The TNI no longer seems to be using many muscles rather than the brain. This condition is because Mahfud has seen that many intellectuals are in the TNI. This condition made Mahfud congratulate the TNI on the 73rd anniversary of the TNI.

"But once in the flash of history, the TNI (when called ABRI) became a frightening institution because its elements were involved in politics and repressiveness, so they borrowed pieces of the song Iwan Fals, such as: wearing mandates. Now the TNI is already in the khitthah. Bravo."

In the New Order era, it seemed that the TNI was just playing muscle, not brain games. But when I became Defense Minister in 2000 I became aware that in the TNI there were many great intellectuals. Many nationalists are very intelligent in the TNI. I am proud of the TNI. Dirgahayulah TNI," Mahfud said via Twitter / X account @mohmahfudmd, October 5, 2018.