Indonesian Military Headquarters explains Status Siaga I

The Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters (Mabes TNI) stated that the designation of Status Siaga I for all defence units in Indonesia is aimed at anticipating developments in international, regional, and national environments. Accordingly, the TNI must maintain high operational readiness, including conducting routine readiness inspection parades. Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, Head of the Mabes TNI Information Centre, said this when contacted on Saturday, 7 March 2026. He explained that, in accordance with Law Number 3 of 2025 concerning the TNI, the TNI’s primary duty is to protect the nation and its territories from threats to the unity of the Nation and State. As an implementation of this mandate, the TNI must operate professionally and responsively, maintained by preserving its capabilities and strength to remain operationally ready. He did not provide further detail on what security measures would be undertaken after all defence apparatus are on Status Siaga I. He also did not answer Tempo’s question regarding orders from the Commander to Kodam Jaya to secure the embassy area amid the escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran. Earlier, the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) chief, Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, said that the Status Siaga I issued by Commander General Agus Subiyanto is addressed to all TNI units. Status Siaga I within the TNI command is the highest level of preparedness, requiring all personnel to be ready at their headquarters with weapons, ammunition, and vehicles to face emergency threats. According to Yudi, the designation aims to anticipate domestic security developments after the United States and Israel attacked Iran. The attacks prompted Iran to retaliate by striking at several US military bases located in Middle Eastern countries. Consequently, the retaliation affected the safety of Indonesian citizens present in the region. “The TNI, as the vanguard of safeguarding the sovereignty of the NKRI, must anticipate every development in the situation that occurs, both in global, regional, and national spheres,” he said when contacted on Saturday, 7 March 2026. The telegram letter from the Commander on Status Siaga I was signed by the TNI Commander’s Assistant for Operations (Asops), Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun, in Jakarta on 1 March 2026. The document contains seven important instructions for the TNI, ranging from orders to mobilise personnel and main weapon system assets to deploying soldiers for patrols in strategic locations in Jakarta. The Status Siaga I applies from the date of issue of the letter until its conclusion. “This telegram is an order,” read the telegram obtained by Tempo on Saturday, 7 March 2026.