Defence Minister Reveals Dayak Tribe to Receive 'Privilege' for TNI Entry

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has revealed that there will be adjustments to the requirements for interior Dayak tribe members who wish to become TNI soldiers. He stated that interior Dayak residents with shorter stature will receive special privileges.

This was conveyed by Sjafrie after a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) at the DPR RI building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (31/8/2026). Initially, he was asked about President Prabowo Subianto’s meeting with several officials in Hambalang, Bogor, on Saturday (29/8/2026).

“Oh yes, the interior Dayak tribe has been requested to be given the opportunity to join the TNI; those who are short will be given a little privilege,” said Sjafrie.

However, Sjafrie did not elaborate further on the discussions during the meeting. He said the meeting in Hambalang was a limited meeting.

“I cannot explain that. It was a limited meeting,” said Sjafrie.

When asked whether there were special instructions from Prabowo, Sjafrie said the President had asked his staff to increase vigilance.

“There were none (special instructions); the instruction was to increase vigilance,” he said.

Previously, Prabowo held a meeting with TNI Commander General Agus Subianto and the service chiefs. Prabowo discussed several matters, one of which was related to the recruitment of Dayak tribe members who wish to become TNI soldiers.

The meeting was held in Hambalang, West Java, on Saturday (29/8) from afternoon until evening. Also present at the meeting were Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

The moment of the meeting was uploaded by Teddy via the Instagram account Sekretariat.kabinet. Teddy revealed that Prabowo also discussed post-earthquake handling and forest and land fires (karhutla).

“In the meeting, President Prabowo requested updates on several matters, including the adjustment of requirements related to the recruitment of interior Dayak tribe members who wish to become TNI soldiers, the handling of several disasters including the post-earthquake situation in Flores, the eruption of Mount Merapi, and the handling of forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatra,” said Teddy.