DPD Chairman Proposes Regulating Transfer of Heroes' Cemeteries to Ministry of Defence in Social Welfare Bill

JAKARTA - The Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) RI, Sultan B Najamudin, has proposed that regulations on the management of heroes’ cemeteries (TMP) be included in the revision of Law Number 11 of 2009 on Social Welfare (RUU Kessos). This suggestion comes in the wake of the transfer of management of the National Main Heroes’ Cemetery (TMPNU) from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) to the Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan). “The point is that the DPD is proposing a revision to the Kessos law, and at the same time, there is an agreement between Kemenhan and Kemensos regarding the management of TMPNU. This is the right momentum; in principle, we welcome it well,” said Sultan, quoted from a press release on Wednesday (8/4/2026). However, he emphasised that the legislative process must be handled carefully to avoid overlapping regulations. “Later, in terms of legislation or laws, it will enter the material to be submitted by the DPD RI,” said Sultan. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono revealed that the transfer of TMPNU management is a follow-up to instructions from President Prabowo Subianto. “We have carried out the technical process; we have signed an MoU between Kemensos and Kemenhan. That means, de facto, the President’s directive for the transfer of Heroes’ Cemetery management has been completed,” explained Agus Jabo. Currently, the government only needs to finalise the legal umbrella through regulatory changes. “So we are synergising to amend that regulation. So that the management (of TMP), which has so far been handled by Kemensos, is transferred to Kemenhan,” he said. He also assessed that management by Kemenhan is more relevant because the utilisation of TMP, especially in Kalibata, has long involved TNI elements. For this reason, Donny supports the proposal to regulate TMP management explicitly in the revision of the RUU Kesejahteraan Sosial. “We also propose that TMP management be included explicitly in the articles of the RUU, as part of the state’s respect for the heroes and the strengthening of national values. This has been agreed upon with Kemensos and has received support from the DPD RI,” revealed Donny. “For joint management, we have implemented it from the beginning of this month until the end of this year,” explained Donny. The Chairman of the DPD RI’s Legislative Design Committee (PPUU), Abdul Kholik, assured that proposals related to TMP management will be integrated into the revision of the RUU Kesejahteraan Sosial. “Technically, the RUU Kesejahteraan Sosial has been prepared by us. Proposals related to TMP management will be included as additional substance in the revision, and we will push for it to be included in the priority of national legislative discussions,” said Abdul Kholik.