Heroes' Cemetery to be Managed by Defence Ministry, Social Affairs Minister States Inadequate Capacity

JAKARTA — The Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, commonly known as Gus Ipul, has stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) lacks adequate capacity to properly manage the nation’s Heroes’ Cemeteries (Taman Makam Pahlawan, TMP).

Consequently, management of TMP will transition from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) beginning April 2026.

“The Ministry of Social Affairs simply does not have adequate capacity to manage Heroes’ Cemeteries properly, comprehensively, and with sufficient support,” Gus Ipul said during a meeting at the Ministry of Social Affairs headquarters in Central Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

“We are grateful and appreciative that there has been a directive to hand over management to the Ministry of Defence. This process is currently underway, and I am confident it will be an improvement,” he added.

Gus Ipul stated that if the transition proceeds as planned, the Defence Ministry will assume full responsibility for managing Heroes’ Cemeteries across Indonesia from 1 April 2026 onwards.

“We have scheduled the transition to take effect on 1 April. This is still a transition period, but the Ministry of Social Affairs will continue to assist during this period using our existing resources,” he said.

The transfer of management authority to the Defence Ministry was a direct presidential directive from President Prabowo Subianto, intended to strengthen maintenance and oversight whilst ensuring authenticity and respect in accordance with national values.

“For legal and technical matters, please proceed—the target is transfer by 1 April. However, documentation can be handed over before April, even this Ramadan month if desired,” Gus Ipul stated in a press briefing on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Currently, 216 National Martyrs’ Graves (Makam Pahlawan Nasional) are located in the main Kalibata National Heroes’ Cemetery (TMPN Utama Kalibata).