Indonesian Military Commander Revives Chief of Territorial Staff Position

Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief General Agus Subiyanto issued military personnel transfer orders, appointing Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi as Chief of Territorial Staff (Kaster TNI).

The Head of the Armed Forces Headquarters Information Centre, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, confirmed the personnel transfers conducted by the Commander-in-Chief, including the reinstatement of the Kaster TNI position. “This step is taken to ensure the Armed Forces organisation remains adaptive to the dynamic operational challenges,” Aulia stated through a written message on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

He continued that military personnel transfers within the Armed Forces are a routine occurrence, conducted as part of career development and to meet organisational requirements.

The Kaster TNI position was previously abolished during President Abdurrahman Wahid’s administration in 2001. At that time, the position held by Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo was scheduled for elimination as Agus was to be inaugurated as Vice Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly from the Armed Forces/Police faction.

Aulia emphasised that the decision to reinstate the Kaster TNI position was not taken hastily. “Every decision is made based on considerations to support the execution of the Armed Forces’ core duties,” he stated.

Following his appointment as Kaster TNI, Bambang Trisnohadi’s previous position as Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command (Pangkogabwilhan) will be taken over by Major General Lucky Avianto. Lucky previously served as Commander of the Military Regional Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora.