TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tensions in the relationship between Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad have surfaced repeatedly since Prabowo Subianto became president in October 2024. One such episode unfolded during demonstrations demanding the dissolution of the DPR in late August 2025.
Amid the wave of mass protests, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin proposed that the government declare martial law. He presented the idea during a meeting President Prabowo convened with senior officials at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Friday, August 29, 2025. Martial law would have allowed the Indonesian Military (TNI) to take command of operations to suppress the demonstrations.
Officials close to Prabowo who were familiar with the discussion said the President's inner circle did not support the proposal. Two sources said Dasco argued during the meeting that imposing martial law could instead create an opening for efforts to bring down Prabowo.
Sjafrie, through a statement issued at the time by Defense Ministry Spokesman Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, denied reports that he had proposed martial law. "Pak Sjafrie has always adhered to the Constitution," said Frega, who now serves as Deputy for Geostrategy at the National Defense Council.
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