Mahfud Claims No Alert Level 1 Status Despite Major Demonstrations During His Tenure
Jakarta – Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has revealed that Alert Level 1 status was never declared during his tenure in government, despite the occurrence of large-scale demonstrations.
Consequently, Mahfud believes that implementing Alert Level 1 status would be quite unusual if the sole reason is to anticipate protest actions. “If the reason is something like, ‘there’s going to be massive demonstrations’, why would it reach Alert Level 1?” Mahfud said when interviewed in the Senen area, central Jakarta, on Wednesday (11 March 2026).
“During my time as Coordinating Minister, there were several occasions of large-scale demonstrations. Many times, but it never reached it – not even Alert Level 2,” he continued.
Under Alert Level 2, only partial personnel are placed on full standby, whilst others continue normal duties, whereas Alert Level 3 indicates relatively normal conditions with routine tasks.
According to Mahfud, during his tenure, the government only coordinated between agencies through joint meetings with numerous officials, such as the Military Commander, National Police Chief, Attorney General, and leaders of relevant institutions, including the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
In such meetings, the government typically received reports from various intelligence sources, including BIN and the Military Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), to map the potential strength of demonstrations.
However, after analysis, the government determined that such movements lacked organised strength. “There was no coordination leader, right. ‘If there’s no coordination leader, there’s no money for it, Sir’,” he stated.
For this reason, Mahfud suspects there may be something serious following Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto’s instruction for the Indonesian Military to enter Alert Level 1 status.
“If Alert Level 1 is established, everything is put on alert – there might be something serious,” Mahfud said.
Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto previously issued an Alert Level 1 order for the entire Indonesian Military chain of command as a precautionary measure against global developments, particularly the escalating conflict in the Middle East region.
The order is contained in Military Commander Telegram No. TR/283/2026, signed by the Military Commander’s Operations Assistant Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun on 1 March 2026.
The telegram stated that all Indonesian Military units must increase operational readiness in line with escalating international conflict dynamics and potential impacts on domestic security situations.
Alert Level 1 status has been in effect since 1 March 2026 until a date to be determined.