Defence Minister Discusses TNI Soldiers Serving as Imams and Preachers in Villages

JAKARTA — Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has spoken about the multifaceted roles of TNI soldiers now stationed in Territorial Infantry Battalions across various regions. According to him, their presence extends beyond defence and security patrols, actively engaging in community social life.

In several regions, Sjafrie said, soldiers serve as mosque imams, preachers, assist church activities, and teach children in open areas and schools. “In villages there are mosques, churches, and very few temples. But our battalion of 1,190 soldiers includes those from Islamic boarding schools and others knowledgeable in non-Muslim religious affairs,” he said during a joint session with the DPR’s Commission I on 19 May 2026, as cited from TVR Parlemen’s YouTube broadcast on Thursday (28 May 2026).

Some serve as khatibs and imams in mosques, while others participate in religious social activities with residents. “They enter churches alongside the community. They are present in mosques with the community. They can be khatibs, they can be imams in mosques,” Sjafrie added.

Sjafrie explained that this community involvement is part of the Territorial Infantry Battalion concept being developed by the Ministry of Defence and TNI. The government aims to establish 750 battalions over the next five years to strengthen regional security and support local development, with 150 new battalions targeted annually.

“Insha’Allah, by 2026, every regency in Java will be patrolled by a Territorial Infantry Battalion,” he said.

He noted that soldiers’ regular patrols have revived the community security system (siskamling), which had been neglected, making residents feel safer and closer to the TNI. “This strengthens social environments. The community feels a sense of warmth towards the territorial battalions,” Sjafrie added.