House Commission I Supports Sale of KRI Ki Hajar Dewantara for Fleet Modernisation
A member of House Commission I from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, Oleh Soleh, has expressed support for the government’s plan to sell the Indonesian Navy warship KRI Ki Hajar Dewantara-364. Soleh said the move is important for modernising the primary weaponry system (alutsista) so that national defence remains relevant to technological developments and strategic needs.
“If the ship is indeed old and its maintenance costs are very high, I support its disposal or sale. This is part of modernising the TNI’s alutsista,” Soleh said on Friday (21/8/2026).
Soleh stressed that ageing defence equipment should not be forced to remain operational. Beyond maintenance costs that are no longer proportionate to operational performance, the use of old equipment poses a high risk to the safety of soldiers in the field.
“Ageing alutsista cannot be forced to continue in use. It must not be forced to the point of endangering soldiers’ lives,” he said.
Soleh reminded the government that the sale of old defence equipment must be balanced with certainty that more modern replacements with stronger combat and operational capabilities will be provided. Given that Indonesia is an archipelagic nation, strengthening the Navy’s fleet should always be a top priority.
“The most important thing is not simply selling old alutsista, but ensuring the proceeds support the modernisation programme. Old equipment must not be released while its replacement has not been prepared,” Soleh said.
He expressed hope that naval defence modernisation can proceed in a structured manner so that Navy personnel are equipped with proper, modern and safe equipment in safeguarding Indonesia’s territorial waters.
Previously, the Ministry of Defence proposed the sale of KRI Ki Hajar Dewantara, which was produced in the 1980s, due to high maintenance costs and the ship’s age. The sale plan is set out in Presidential Letter Number R-33 from President Prabowo Subianto, which was read out at a House plenary session on Tuesday (18/8/2026).