Golkar Legislator Supports Reactivation of TNI Territorial Chief Position to Oversee Prabowo's Programmes

A Golkar faction legislator and Deputy Chair of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Dave Laksono, has supported the reactivation of the Indonesian Armed Forces’ (TNI) Territorial Chief (Kaster) position. He stated that reactivating the Kaster TNI does not require parliamentary discussion.

Dave contended that activating the position is entirely within the purview of the state institution. “It’s not necessary. It’s like, for example, changes to directorates-general, additions of directors and so forth—these don’t need to be discussed with us because that’s the government’s prerogative,” he said following a send-off event for mudik participants at Golkar’s headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, 17 March.

During the New Order era, the Kaster position served to implement the dual-function concept of the Armed Forces. Through this function, the Kaster was responsible for military development connected to the civilian population across all command levels, from regional commands down to subdistrict military commands.

The TNI Kaster position was subsequently abolished during the presidency of Abdurrahman Wahid in 2001. Previously, the position was held by Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo and Lieutenant General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Dave stated that reactivating the Kaster TNI position is currently necessary as a response to geopolitical conflict in the Middle East resulting from the Iran-Israel conflict. The Kaster TNI, he continued, is also important for overseeing all government structural programmes.

“This requires that function to support TNI performance so that it can truly oversee and complete all government programmes and policies,” Dave said.

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto has appointed Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi as Territorial Chief (Kaster) TNI in his latest personnel restructuring decision.

Bambang previously served as Commander of the Combined Regional Defence Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III. This position will now be held by Major General Lucky Avianto, who previously served as Commander of Regional Military Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora.

Major General Suhardi, who previously served as Assistant to the TNI Commander for Territorial Affairs, now holds the position of Deputy Territorial Chief (Wakaster) TNI.