Defence Ministry Spokesman Supports TNI Alert Status 1
The Head of the Defence Ministry’s Information Bureau, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo, has stated that the Defence Ministry considers the establishment of defence unit readiness status to be an operational prerogative of the TNI Commander.
According to Rico, on 9 March 2026, operational matters such as the establishment of Alert Status 1 do not require approval from the Defence Ministry. However, Rico stated that the Defence Ministry fully supports the TNI Commander’s decision to elevate readiness status to level one.
Alert Status 1 within TNI command represents the highest level of military readiness, whereby all personnel are obligated to remain at their bases, fully equipped with weapons, ammunition, and vehicles to respond to emergency threats.
According to Rico, the TNI Commander’s decision forms part of TNI’s internal procedures to ensure all units are in a state of readiness to respond to various developments in the strategic situation, which represents standard procedure within the defence system, particularly in responding to dynamics in global and regional security situations.
“This does not necessarily indicate an emergency situation or direct threat to Indonesia, but rather an anticipatory step to ensure the readiness of personnel and units,” he said.
On behalf of TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, the TNI Commander’s Operations Assistant, Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun, issued telegram number TR/283/2026 on 1 March 2026. The classified telegram contained the establishment of TNI Alert Status 1.
The classified telegram contained seven instructions. First, it requested TNI Main Operational Command Commanders to place personnel and primary weapons systems on standby, and to conduct patrols at strategic vital objects and economic centres, including airports, ports, railway stations, bus terminals, and the headquarters of state-owned power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara.
Second, the National Air Defence Commander is to conduct continuous early detection aerial surveillance for 24 hours.
Third, the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) is to instruct defence attachés in affected countries to identify, map, and plan for evacuation of Indonesian nationals if required.
Fourth, the Jayakarta Military Regional Command is to conduct patrols at strategic vital objects and embassies, and to anticipate developments in the domestic situation to maintain stability in Jakarta.
Fifth, intelligence units are to conduct early detection and early prevention of groups exploiting developments in the Middle East to create instability domestically.
Sixth, the TNI Central Executing Body is to maintain alert status in their respective units.
Seventh, all developments in the situation are to be reported to the TNI Commander at the earliest opportunity.
The establishment of this military alert status has drawn criticism from civil society coalitions. They argue that Alert Status 1, accompanied by troop deployment, should be ordered by the President and require approval from the House of Representatives.
Civil society coalition member Al Araf stated that the establishment of Alert Status 1 is unconstitutional because military force mobilisation should be conducted by the President as the holder of supreme authority over all military branches.
The legal basis is Article 10 of the 1945 Constitution and Article 17 of the TNI Law. “These provisions make clear that the authority to mobilise military force lies with the President, not the TNI Commander,” said Al Araf on Sunday, 8 March 2026.