Defence Minister on TNI Alert Status 1: Public Has No Need to Worry
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has requested that the public not worry about Alert Status 1, issued by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto.
He explained that Alert Status 1 is a term relating to military personnel readiness in monitoring developments in global, regional and national situations.
Sjafrie stated that the status is not connected to geopolitical or geoeconomic circumstances currently developing.
“Thus, the readiness measures we are taking have no geopolitical impact. There is no impact on geoeconomics. However, this readiness is part of our geostrategy. Therefore, the public need not worry,” said Sjafrie at the Defence Ministry office in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March.
Sjafrie also said that the readiness measure was intended to provide a sense of security and comfort for the public.
“That is our task nationally in setting national policy, and the TNI Commander’s responsibility is to manage operations. Thus this readiness is to assure the people that the republic is in a secure state and naturally must be comfortable in terms of clothing, food and shelter,” he said.
TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto had previously ordered his forces to Alert Status 1 as a precautionary measure against developments in the domestic situation resulting from conflict in the Middle East region.
The order was outlined in TNI Commander Telegram Number TR/283/2026. This letter was signed by the TNI Commander’s Operations Assistant Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun on 1 March 2026.
There are seven orders in the telegram. First, the TNI Main Operations Command (Pangkotamaops) was instructed to put personnel and equipment on alert and carry out patrols at strategic vital objects and centres of economic activity.
These patrols cover airports, seaports and inland waterways, railway stations, bus terminals, and important facilities such as the state electricity company office and others.
Second, the National Air Defence Command (Kohanudnas) was instructed to carry out early detection and continuous air observation for 24 hours.
Third, the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais) was asked to instruct defence attachés of the Republic of Indonesia in countries affected by the conflict to collect data and map the conditions of Indonesian nationals (WNI), and to prepare evacuation plans if necessary.
Bais was asked to coordinate with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian embassies and relevant authorities according to escalation in the Middle East region.
Fourth, Kodam Jaya was instructed to increase patrols at various strategic vital objects and foreign embassy areas and to anticipate situation developments in maintaining conducive conditions in Jakarta.
Fifth, TNI intelligence units were instructed to carry out early detection and prevention of groups exploiting the Middle East situation to create unconducive domestic conditions.
Sixth, the TNI Central Executive Agency (Balakpus) was asked to implement readiness in their respective units.
Seventh, any situation developments that occur must be immediately reported to the TNI Commander.
TNI Information Centre Chief Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah confirmed the TNI Commander’s instruction.
He said that in accordance with the mandate in the TNI Law, one of the main duties of the TNI is to protect the entire nation and all Indonesian territory from threats and disturbances to the integrity of the Nation and State.
He explained that the TNI is tasked to act professionally and responsively, which is realised by constantly maintaining capability and strength to remain operationally ready, and on alert to anticipate developments in the international, regional and national strategic environment.
“Thus the TNI must have high operational readiness, one of which is through carrying out regular readiness inspection appeals,” said Aulia when contacted on Sunday, 8 March.