Management of Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta to Transfer to Defence Ministry This Year

Jakarta – The management of the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery (TMPN Utama) in Jakarta is planned to transfer from the Social Affairs Ministry to the Defence Ministry this year, with the operational transition target set for 1 April 2026.

“From a legal and technical perspective, the target date of 1 April is for the handover. However, the documentation can be transferred before April, even during the fasting month if needed,” said Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The transition process for managing the cemetery of national heroes was discussed between Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and Deputy Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Donny Ermawan Taufanto during a meeting at the Social Affairs Ministry office in Jakarta.

Saifullah explained that during the process of transferring authority and formulating regulations, the Social Affairs Ministry will establish a transition team and continue coordinating with the Defence Ministry.

During the initial phase following the operational transfer, the Social Affairs Ministry is ready to provide support in the form of human resources and maintenance financing until the Defence Ministry has its own budget for managing the cemetery.

According to data from the Directorate General of the Social Affairs Ministry, 216 national heroes are buried at Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery, including former Indonesian President B.J. Habibie and former Vice President Adam Malik.

Previously, Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery was under the Social Affairs Ministry based on Presidential Decree Number 13 of 1984.

The transfer of cemetery management has been described as a directive from President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen maintenance, oversight, and ensure proper respect for national heroes in accordance with national values.

“So from 1 April, operations will already be under the Defence Ministry. In the meantime, we will provide backup support, as we still have personnel and financing for maintenance and other needs, providing this backup until the Defence Ministry fully has its own budget,” said Saifullah Yusuf.