Defence Minister: Alert Level 1 Is Military Terminology, Though People Interpret It as Political Language
JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has reaffirmed that the Alert Level 1 (siaga 1) status established by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto is standard military terminology.
“Friends, Alert Level 1 is military language, yes. But people can interpret it as political language,” Sjafrie said when met at the Defence Ministry building in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 12 April 2026.
“So the readiness measures we are implementing have no geopolitical implications. They have no implications for geoeconomy,” he added.
According to the Defence Minister, the TNI’s state of readiness forms part of the country’s defence geostrategy.
“So the public need not worry. What people actually need is safety and comfort. That is our task nationally to establish national policy, and it is the TNI Commander’s task to manage operations,” he stressed.
“So this readiness is to assure the people that the republic is in a safe state and certainly must be comfortable in terms of clothing, food, and shelter,” he continued.
The directive is contained in a Telegram from TNI Commander No. TR/283/2026, signed by the TNI Commander’s Operations Assistant, Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun, on 1 March 2026.
The telegram stated that all TNI units must increase operational readiness in response to escalating international conflict dynamics and their potential impact on domestic security situations.
The Alert Level 1 status has been in effect since 1 March 2026 with no predetermined end date.
TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto stated that Alert Level 1 is a standard military term commonly used in the armed forces.
He explained that Alert Level 1 in this context relates to troop readiness in handling natural disasters.
“Alert Level 1 is a standard military term, a term commonly used in the military. I have implemented Alert Level 1 in units — specifically the Rapid Response Force for Natural Disaster Mitigation. So each regional military command has one battalion on Alert Level 1 in case natural disasters occur in its jurisdiction,” Agus said at the Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, 10 March 2026.
The TNI Commander indicated he wanted to test the readiness of TNI personnel and equipment, making the Alert Level 1 instruction a routine procedure.
However, when asked whether Alert Level 1 is related to the escalating Middle East conflict, Agus did not provide a clear answer.
“Okay, thank you, that’s routine — Alert Level 1 is routine,” he said.