A civil society coalition has criticised an order from TNI Commander\nGeneral Agus Subiyanto regarding alert level 1 for military units as a\nstep to anticipate domestic developments resulting from conflicts in the\nMiddle East region.<\/p>\n
The coalition comprises Indonesia RISK Centre, Imparsial, YLBHI,\nKontraS, Amnesty International Indonesia, Human Right Working Group\n(HRWG), WALHI, Centra Initiative, ICW, Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Jakarta\nand SETARA Institute.<\/p>\n
According to the coalition, the TNI Commander\u2019s order via telegram\ndoes not align with the Constitution because military force deployment\nshould be under presidential authority, not the TNI Commander\u2019s\nauthority.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsidering the President holds supreme authority over the army,\nnavy and air force (Article 10 of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution).\nThis is reinforced in Article 17 of Law No.\u00a034 of 2004 regarding TNI,\nwhich confirms that authority for TNI force deployment rests with the\nPresident,\u201d the coalition stated in a written statement on Monday (9\nMarch).<\/p>\n
The coalition believes that assessing national security developments\nand geopolitical dynamics, as well as deploying TNI, should be\nundertaken by the President and Parliament as representatives of the\npeople.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the TNI Commander should not and cannot make assessments\nof the existing situation.<\/p>\n
The coalition stated that TNI is a state defence instrument and\ntherefore its role is only to implement state defence policies created\nby the President.<\/p>\n
The coalition also views the urgency of military involvement at\npresent with alert status one as unnecessary.<\/p>\n
According to the coalition, the current national defence and security\nsituation remains under control by the civilian government and law\nenforcement authorities.<\/p>\n
There is no real escalation of threats to state sovereignty that\nwould require military involvement within the framework of alert level\none.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe coalition urges the President and Parliament to evaluate and\nrevoke the telegram because it does not align with the Constitution and\nthere is no urgency for it,\u201d the coalition said.<\/p>\n
TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto previously ordered his units to\nalert level 1 as a precautionary measure against domestic developments\nresulting from Middle East region conflicts.<\/p>\n
The order is contained in TNI Commander Telegram No.\u00a0TR\/283\/2026,\nsigned by the TNI Commander\u2019s Operations Assistant, Lieutenant General\nBobby Rinal Makmun, on 1 March 2026.<\/p>\n
The telegram contains seven orders. First, TNI Main Operations\nCommand (Pangkotamaops) is ordered to alert personnel and equipment and\nconduct patrols of strategic vital objects and economic centres.<\/p>\n
These patrols cover airports, seaports and river ports, railway\nstations, bus terminals, and critical facilities such as state\nelectricity company offices and others.<\/p>\n
Second, the National Air Defence Command (Kohanudnas) is ordered to\ncarry out early detection and continuous 24-hour air surveillance.<\/p>\n
Third, TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais) is asked to order\ndefence attach\u00e9s at countries affected by the conflict to gather data\nand map the situation of Indonesian citizens (WNI), and prepare\nevacuation plans if necessary.<\/p>\n
Bais is asked to coordinate with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign\nAffairs, Indonesian embassies and relevant authorities according to\nescalation in the Middle East region.<\/p>\n
Fourth, Kodam Jaya is ordered to increase patrols of various\nstrategic vital objects and embassy areas and anticipate situation\ndevelopments in maintaining conducive conditions in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Fifth, TNI intelligence units are ordered to conduct early detection\nand prevention of groups that may exploit the Middle East situation to\ncreate unconducive domestic conditions.<\/p>\n
Sixth, TNI Central Execution Agency (Balakpus) is asked to implement\nalert readiness in their respective units.<\/p>\n
Seventh, every situation development that occurs must be immediately\nreported to the TNI Commander.<\/p>\n
TNI Information Centre Head Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah\nconfirmed the TNI Commander\u2019s instruction.<\/p>\n
Aulia said that according to the mandate in the TNI Law, one of TNI\u2019s\nmain duties is to protect the entire nation and all of Indonesian\nterritory from threats and disturbances to national and state\nintegrity.<\/p>\n
He explained that TNI operates professionally and responsively, which\nis realised by continually maintaining capability and strength to remain\noperationally ready, and prepared to anticipate developments in the\ninternational, regional and national strategic environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccordingly, TNI must have high operational readiness, one of which\nis by implementing routine readiness checks,\u201d Aulia said when contacted\non Sunday (8 March).<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/civil-society-coalition-criticises-military-commanders-alert-order-as-overstepping-presidential-authority-1773046340", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }