Utama was sentenced in 1999 to one year and four months in jail after a military trial, according to local media reports, but it is unclear if he served any time in prison. He remained in the military despite the conviction.
“This is a rollback of Indonesia’s democratic reform,” Amnesty International Indonesia’s Usman Hamid told Reuters, also pointing out that, even under the new law, military personnel posted in several civilian positions, including under the finance ministry, had to retire first.
Utama remains in active service.
“This is clear evidence of ignorance towards the victims’ rights,” said Ardi Manto Adiputra from rights group Imparsial. Utama has also held posts in other ministries, but those were related to security, unlike his expected finance ministry posting.
“To lead the customs unit, it should be someone who understands the complexity of customs issues,” Jahen Rezki, an economist at University of Indonesia, said, questioning the appointment.
Prabowo, who took office last October, was dismissed from the military following allegations of human rights abuses – though there were no formal charges.
