Alert Status 1 Under Scrutiny as Defence Minister and TNI Commander Provide Clarification

JAKARTA — TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto and Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin have provided clarification regarding the implementation of Alert Status 1 across all TNI ranks.

The Indonesian Army (TNI AD) has also responded to public concerns about the alert status, particularly amid escalating conflict in the Middle East resulting from US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Critics have argued that the alert status violates the 1945 Indonesian Constitution.

“TNI Commander’s Alert Status 1 Order: Unconstitutional and a threat to civilian supremacy,” read a statement issued by the Coalition of Civil Society for Security Sector Reform on Monday (9 March 2026).

DPR member Tb Hasanuddin has called on the TNI to explain the alert status to avoid confusing the public. Former Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Mahfud MD echoed similar sentiments.

“If necessary, this constitutional obligation should be announced publicly. The Indonesian people have the right to receive the clearest possible information,” Mahfud stated in the Senen area of central Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

The government and Indonesian military have now issued clarifications. TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto explained that Alert Status 1 is a routine military measure for soldier readiness and disaster response operations.

“I have already implemented Alert Status 1 at unit level — specifically the Natural Disaster Rapid Response Force. So each military regional command has one battalion on Alert Status 1 for deployment in the event of a natural disaster in its jurisdiction,” Agus said at the Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday evening (10 March 2026).

When journalists asked whether the Middle East conflict had prompted the Alert Status 1 order, Agus gave a brief response: “Yes, thank you. It is routine procedure — Alert Status 1 is normal practice,” he said.