Dudung Responds to Criticism on Cabinet Militarisation: I Am Already Retired

Retired General Dudung Abdurachman has responded to criticisms narrating the strengthening of military culture alongside his appointment as Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP). He stated that he is currently a civilian, having entered retirement in 2023 as a TNI soldier. “I have already retired, for two years now. I am a civilian. Well, one can come from any background. There are those from civilian sectors becoming ministers, and many from ministries as well,” said Dudung after the handover ceremony with M. Qodari at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (28/4). Dudung was inaugurated as Head of KSP, replacing Qodari, on Monday (27/4). He was directly sworn in by President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace in Jakarta. With Dudung’s inauguration as Head of KSP, the position is once again filled by someone with a military background. Before Qodari, the position was held by A. M. Putranto, a retired TNI soldier from the Army branch. Besides under Prabowo’s leadership, during the era of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, the Head of KSP position was also held by two retired TNI generals, namely Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Moeldoko. Dudung is a retired TNI Army officer. A graduate of the Military Academy Class of 1988, Dudung retired as a four-star general with his last position as KSAD. In addition, Dudung has held several strategic positions in the TNI. Dudung was promoted to brigadier general when trusted to become Deputy Governor of Akmil (2015-2016), then continued as special staff to the Army Chief of Staff (2016-2017), and Deputy Territorial Assistant to KSAD (2017-2018). Then, he was promoted to major general while filling the position of Governor of Akmil (2018-2020), then continued leading the region as Pangdam V Jaya (2020-2021). After becoming Pangdam, Dudung was promoted to Commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Pangkostrad), at that time replacing Lieutenant General TNI Eko Margiyono in 2021. After that, Dudung was trusted to become the highest leader of the Army as KSAD.