Defence Ministry: TNI Deployment to Gaza in Line with Constitution
The Head of the Defence Ministry’s Information Bureau, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the ministry respects all public opinion regarding the plan to deploy a peacekeeping force to the Gaza Strip, Palestine, in response to objections from the Forum of Retired Soldiers of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
“We respect every view that develops in society,” he said in a statement on Friday, 27 February 2026.
According to him, some retired TNI soldiers have now become part of the civil society. He assured that the steps taken by the government in supporting global peace efforts have been carefully considered.
The plan to send TNI soldiers to Gaza, Rico stated, is also implemented within constitutional channels. He added that the mandate of the fourth paragraph of the preamble to the 1945 Constitution requires the state to be involved in world order based on independence, perpetual peace, and social justice.
“Indonesia’s involvement in the Board of Peace and the International Stabilisation Force scheme is placed within the framework of international mandate, including reference to UN Security Council Resolution No. 2803,” the one-star general said.
Previously, the Forum of Retired TNI Soldiers had asked President Prabowo Subianto to cancel the plan to send 8,000 troops to Gaza, Palestine. The forum argued that Indonesia’s involvement in the international stabilisation force initiated by US President Donald Trump violated the constitution.
Retired General Fachrul Razi explained that Indonesia’s involvement in international peacekeeping forces has only been permitted under a UN mandate and not through other organisations.
“Especially since this is through the Board of Peace led by an American general. This truly offends the feelings of our Palestinian friends,” said Fachrul after holding an FPP meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Additionally, the deployment of forces on this scale must also be coordinated, consulted, and approved by the People’s Consultative Assembly (DPR). The forum argued that the absence of careful planning processes with the DPR, with only the President making the decision, demonstrates that TNI involvement in the ISF is not a state agenda but rather Prabowo’s personal agenda.
“According to the constitution, strategic decisions must obtain DPR approval and from all relevant parties,” said Fachrul.
The former Minister of Religious Affairs continued by stating that Prabowo’s claim that Indonesia will not be involved in armed operations, combined with Indonesia’s strategic role as Deputy Commander of the ISF, is insufficient guarantee that ISF operations will not oppress Palestine as America has promised.
In the military, Fachrul said, the position of deputy commander and commander-in-chief are one package. When the commander representing America decides to carry out a disarmament operation, it is unlikely that the deputy commander from Indonesia could refuse.
“Commander and deputy commander are in the same box within an organisation. It is impossible for the commander and deputy commander’s decisions to differ,” he said.