Commander Revives Kaster TNI Position Abolished in Gus Dur Era
Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto has appointed Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi as Kepala Staf Teritorial (Kaster) TNI in the latest round of military transfers.
Bambang previously served as Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III. That position will now be assumed by Major General Lucky Avianto, who previously held the position of Commander of Military Regional Command (Kodam) XXIV/Mandala Trikora.
The Kaster TNI position was abolished in 2001 during the presidency of Abdurrahman Wahid, commonly known as Gus Dur. The position was previously held by Lieutenant Generals Agus Widjojo and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
In the latest round of transfers, Major General Suhardi, who previously served as Territorial Assistant to the TNI Commander, now holds the position of Wakil Kepala Staf Teritorial (Wakaster) TNI.
Major General Frits Wilem Rizard Pelamonia, previously of the Office of the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) in the Economics and Social Welfare Division, becomes Commander of Military Regional Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora.
Brigadier General Mirza Patria Jaya, from the TNI Intelligence Agency (Bais TNI) Director C position, assumes the role of Aide to the Army Chief of Staff Level III in the Economics and Social Welfare Division. Colonel of Infantry Wahyo Yuniartoto, from his position as Aide to the Commander of Military Regional Command IX/Udayana, becomes Director C of the TNI Intelligence Agency.
Brigadier General I Ketut Mertha Gunarda, previously Commander of Military Resort Command (Danrem) 173/Praja Vira Braja, becomes Aide to the Commander of Military Regional Command IX/Udayana.
TNI Information Centre Chief Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah confirmed the senior officer transfers, explaining that such transfers are routine practice for officer career development and organisational requirements.
“This step is also taken to ensure the TNI organisation remains adaptive to dynamic operational challenges. Each decision is made based on considerations to support the implementation of TNI’s core tasks,” stated Aulia.