Defence Ministry Denies Ban on Hijab for Female Cadets at Defence University
Social media was stirred by the confession of Asma Wafa Andina, a prospective student of the Faculty of Medicine at the Defence University (Unhan), who chose to withdraw in August 2026. She withdrew on the grounds that she would have to remove her hijab while attending education at Unhan.
The Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) of the Republic of Indonesia has denied reports of a ban on the use of the hijab for female cadets at Unhan. Kemenhan emphasised that in the Rector’s Regulation of Unhan RI Number 28 of 2025 concerning the Guidelines for Cadet Life at the Defence University, there is no provision that specifically prohibits the use of the hijab for female cadets.
“The regulation actually places the value of piety as part of the Cadet code of honour. Cadets are directed to become individuals who are religious according to their belief in God Almighty and to practise the teachings of their respective religions and beliefs, both in official duties and personal life,” said the Head of the Information Bureau of the Secretariat General of Kemenhan, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, in a press release in Jakarta, Sunday (23/8/2026).
In addition, Rico said, performing worship and mental development are also expressly stipulated as one of the rights of cadets during their education at Unhan. Regarding information about the hijab not being worn during Basic Military Training (Latsarmil) conducted at the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang, according to him, the provision is applied to certain activities by considering safety and security aspects during training.
“Especially activities that require freedom of movement or the use of training equipment. The provision is a technical arrangement in the implementation of Latsarmil and is not intended as a restriction on beliefs or the practice of religious teachings,” said Rico.
In daily life, he continued, Muslim female cadets may wear the hijab when in their living quarters or mess as well as during certain activities outside the campus. Including during internships, they are still allowed to wear the hijab.