Analyst: TNI Strengthens Synergy to Safeguard Economic Stability from Global Geopolitical Impacts
Senior political analyst Boni Hargens has revealed that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is now taking a proactive role in safeguarding national socio-economic stability. This step represents a strategic response to directives from President Prabowo Subianto to ensure that geopolitical turbulence in the Middle East does not trigger an economic crisis domestically.
Boni assesses that TNI’s involvement in securing economic pillars constitutes a layered defence to confront threats from both external and internal sources.
“The role of the TNI in maintaining national economic stability encompasses several strategic dimensions. On the infrastructure security side, TNI units are tightening surveillance at vital distribution points for energy, from oil refineries to distribution routes vulnerable to exploitation by illegal networks,” Boni stated in his remarks on Thursday (9/4/2026).
In addition to physical presence at national vital objects, the TNI is also optimising the intelligence dimension. Boni explained that the TNI is collaborating closely with the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to map threats, including movements of networks misusing energy subsidies.
Information from military intelligence networks provides a crucial contribution to enforcement operations led by the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri). This synergy aims to secure four main points of the government’s commitments: protection of public subsidies, national energy resilience, uncompromising law enforcement, and isolation of the domestic economy from external disruptions.
“The President has given full mandate to the TNI and Polri to crack down firmly on all forms of energy crimes that harm the state and the people,” he said.
Boni emphasised that the most evident internal threat at present is the diversion of subsidised diesel fuel (BBM) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). He highlighted how every litre of diesel or gas cylinder diverted illegally to large industries directly robs the rights of the poor.
“Every rupiah of subsidy that is misused is a direct loss to the state budget (APBN). When the supply of 3 kg LPG is diverted, small communities face shortages, and low-income housewives must bear a heavier burden,” he clarified.
According to Boni, coordination between Polri in law enforcement, TNI in strategic security, and firm policies from the Prabowo-Gibran administration forms a solid economic defence system.
This national response model is deemed effective in facing energy challenges in the era of global volatility. Boni hopes this synergy will continue to be strengthened and institutionalised as a new standard to protect Indonesia’s economic sovereignty from various global geopolitical shocks.
“This synergy of the three pillars forms a layered defence system that is not easily penetrated by energy crime networks, no matter how sophisticated,” he concluded.