Court Upholds Indonesia’s Military Law Amendments; UK Government Rejects Lords’ Changes to Workers’ Bill

Indonesia’s top court rejects challenge to military law revisions Indonesia’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition alleging procedural flaws in parliament’s March amendments to military legislation, ruling 5-4 that proper processes were followed.

Nut Graf The narrow verdict intensifies debates over President Prabowo Subianto’s use of the armed forces in civilian roles, amid two weeks of sporadic protests against what critics call creeping militarisation.

Indonesia’s Ruling Sparks Continued Protests

  • The petition claimed lawmakers “bulldozed” the revisions without sufficient public consultation.
  • Justice Guntur Hamzah said documents were publicly accessible and legislators engaged media and stakeholders.
  • Four dissenting judges did not publicly present their opinions during the virtual verdict.
  • Opponents warn the expanded military powers echo the New Order era (1966-1998) and undermine democratic reforms.
  • Human rights groups signalled plans for further legal challenges to the law’s substance.

UK Government Dismisses Lords’ Amendments to Employment Rights Bill

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration announced on Wednesday it will reject a dozen measures proposed by the House of Lords to soften the Employment Rights Bill before its final passage.

  • Lords had sought to reduce the unfair dismissal qualifying period, define guaranteed hours, and bolster whistleblower protections.
  • The bill retains removal of limits on statutory sick pay, a ban on zero-hours contracts, and day-one unfair dismissal rights.
  • An estimated 15 million workers stand to benefit directly from the new protections.
  • The government cited extensive engagement with employers and unions to balance business certainty and worker rights.

Broader Context and Next Steps

  • In Jakarta, protests have ranged from peaceful marches to clashes over police tactics.
  • Prabowo recently appointed General Dari Chago as chief security minister, reinforcing his reliance on former military leaders.
  • In London, the Employment Rights Bill now returns to Parliament for final passage without the Lords’ amendments, marking the “biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation,” according to the prime minister.