Constitutional Court mandates revision of Indonesia's Military Court Law

The Constitutional Court of Indonesia has ruled that Law Number 31 of 1997 concerning the Military Court must be revised within a maximum of two years. In Decision Number 260/PUU-XXIII/2025, the Court declared the existing law unconstitutional in a conditional sense, meaning it will lose its binding legal force if the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) fail to implement changes within the specified timeframe.

The ruling requires the new legislation to provide clear definitions distinguishing military crimes from general crimes. It also mandates a clear delineation of jurisdiction between military and general courts regarding offenses committed by Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel. Additionally, the revision must address the unification of the military court system and necessary procedural law adjustments.

The Ministry of Law is currently reviewing the decision to determine the next steps for coordination with the DPR. Legal representatives for the petitioners have described the ruling as a progressive step toward addressing perceived injustices within the military judicial system.