• The Indonesian military will manufacture medicines for public distribution.
• This decision has raised fears of expanded military powers and a return to authoritarianism.
• The military's role in civic affairs has increased under President Prabowo Subianto.
• Mass production is set to begin in October with prices significantly lowered.
• Rights groups criticize the agreement as unlawful due to military involvement in civilian roles.

The Indonesian military is set to begin manufacturing medicines for public distribution under a new agreement, marking a significant expansion of the armed forces' role in civilian affairs since President Prabowo Subianto took office. This comes as part of a broader strategy that includes initiatives like the provision of free school meals, further intertwining military operations with public welfare, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.

The new agreement allows military laboratories, previously used to supply medicines solely for soldiers, to produce drugs for public use, with mass production commencing in October. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that these medicines would be distributed to villages at prices 50% below retail, which he claims will help combat illegal medications and medical industry corruption, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

However, the expansion of military roles has attracted significant criticism, particularly following a revision to military law passed by the parliament that allows soldiers to occupy civilian government positions. This change has sparked protests from students and activists, who view it as a dismantling of democratic safeguards established post-Suharto, raising fears of a return to authoritarianism, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.

Critics, including representatives from Amnesty International, argue that incorporating serving military officials into civilian roles under the new agreement represents a violation of military law and poses a risk of increased authoritarian governance. This sentiment echoes concerns that the military's involvement in civic duties could hinder free expression and dissent among the populace, as highlighted by Reuters, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.

The military's involvement will also see the establishment of 80,000 state-backed cooperatives that will facilitate the distribution of these medicines as well as provide various services directly to the public, further blurring the lines between military and civilian roles in Indonesia. Additionally, the defense ministry has plans to expand its healthcare contributions through building hospitals staffed by military personnel in conflict-affected regions, particularly in Papua, where a low-level insurgency persists, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.