{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1770471,
        "msgid": "defence-minister-discusses-tni-soldiers-serving-as-imams-and-preachers-in-villages-1780014228",
        "date": "2026-05-28 18:21:20",
        "title": "Defence Minister Discusses TNI Soldiers Serving as Imams and Preachers in Villages",
        "author": "Bilal Ramadhan",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has highlighted TNI soldiers' roles as imams, preachers, and community helpers in Territorial Infantry Battalions, part of a government initiative to strengthen regional security and social cohesion. The plan aims to establish 750 battalions by 2026, reviving community safety systems and fostering closer ties between the military and local populations.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA \u2014 Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has spoken about the\nmultifaceted roles of TNI soldiers now stationed in Territorial Infantry\nBattalions across various regions. According to him, their presence\nextends beyond defence and security patrols, actively engaging in\ncommunity social life.<\/p>\n<p>In several regions, Sjafrie said, soldiers serve as mosque imams,\npreachers, assist church activities, and teach children in open areas\nand schools. \u201cIn villages there are mosques, churches, and very few\ntemples. But our battalion of 1,190 soldiers includes those from Islamic\nboarding schools and others knowledgeable in non-Muslim religious\naffairs,\u201d he said during a joint session with the DPR\u2019s Commission I on\n19 May 2026, as cited from TVR Parlemen\u2019s YouTube broadcast on Thursday\n(28 May 2026).<\/p>\n<p>Some serve as khatibs and imams in mosques, while others participate\nin religious social activities with residents. \u201cThey enter churches\nalongside the community. They are present in mosques with the community.\nThey can be khatibs, they can be imams in mosques,\u201d Sjafrie added.<\/p>\n<p>Sjafrie explained that this community involvement is part of the\nTerritorial Infantry Battalion concept being developed by the Ministry\nof Defence and TNI. The government aims to establish 750 battalions over\nthe next five years to strengthen regional security and support local\ndevelopment, with 150 new battalions targeted annually.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInsha\u2019Allah, by 2026, every regency in Java will be patrolled by a\nTerritorial Infantry Battalion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that soldiers\u2019 regular patrols have revived the community\nsecurity system (siskamling), which had been neglected, making residents\nfeel safer and closer to the TNI. \u201cThis strengthens social environments.\nThe community feels a sense of warmth towards the territorial\nbattalions,\u201d Sjafrie added.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/defence-minister-discusses-tni-soldiers-serving-as-imams-and-preachers-in-villages-1780014228",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}