Indonesia’s largest newspaper ran an unusual advertisement this week — a full-page essay by the ministry of defence, explaining the expanding role of the military in economic and civilian affairs.
Titled “no longer just the military: Indonesia’s people’s defence”, the ministry said that its role has expanded in recent times to support President Prabowo Subianto’s “grand visions” to build “comprehensive defence” for Indonesia.
The ministry is “transforming from mere military defence to universal defence based on welfare and cross-sector collaboration”, it said in the Kompas newspaper, justifying the armed forces’ role in Prabowo’s flagship policies such as a nationwide free meals programme for schoolchildren.
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