Book Launch of 'Militer Pemikir, Pemikir Militer' Revives Discussion on TNI Reform

A significant record of military reform in Indonesia has been officially documented in a book titled ‘Militer Pemikir, Pemikir Militer’ (Military Thinker, Thinking Military). The book, which chronicles the life and thoughts of retired Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo, was launched in Jakarta on Monday (22/6/2026). The launch event brought together national figures, academics, and retired TNI officers not merely to celebrate the publication, but to re-examine Agus Widjojo’s strategic contribution to structuring civil-military relations in the country after 1998. Agus Widjojo is known as one of the main architects behind the TNI’s internal reform. The book compiles various views on his consistency in fighting for military professionalism based on democratic and constitutional values. Former KPK leader Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, in his remarks, stressed that for Agus Widjojo, the military’s subordination to civilian authority was not a form of defeat. “That true professionalism only grows when the military stands in its constitutional position. For him, that was not defeat, it was maturity,” Erry asserted. Agus’s ideas encompass fundamental steps that have now become pillars of Indonesian democracy. Beyond the democratic aspect, the book also highlights Agus Widjojo’s courage in criticising the military’s internal structure. Academic from the Australian National University, Marcus Mietzner, described Agus as a visionary officer for daring to question the relevance of the territorial command system in the modern era. “Pak Agus considered that the structure, although perhaps necessary in the past, can no longer be considered functional in the 21st century,” Marcus stated. He added that Agus’s thinking remains highly relevant for evaluating evolving defence policies. Former TNI Commander General (Ret.) Endriartono Sutarto also delivered a strong message, remembering Agus Widjojo as a figure who fiercely guarded the military institution’s independence to prevent it from being dragged into practical politics. Endriartono quoted Agus’s important message: “Never, whoever it is… if they become president, let them arbitrarily dismantle the TNI solely for their own interest in gaining and maintaining power.” The launch of the book ‘Militer Pemikir, Pemikir Militer’ is expected to become a primary reference for the younger generation, academics, and policymakers in understanding the long history of defence reform in Indonesia and the importance of maintaining civilian supremacy for a stronger democratic future.