Meaning of TNI Alert Status 1 According to Mahfud MD: All Military Forces Must Be Ready
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security (Menkopolhukam), Mahfud MD has commented on the telegram from TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto ordering Alert Status 1 for all TNI ranks.
According to him, the Alert Status 1 order was issued following review of intelligence reports and field situations.
“Alert Status 1 means all military forces must be ready and alert, preparing for every possibility. Alert Status 2 means some units are on alert while others operate normally. Alert Status 3 is business as usual, nothing unusual,” said Mahfud when met in the Senen area, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday evening (10 March 2026).
Moreover, the former Defence Minister was confident that the TNI has mechanisms in place before the Alert Status 1 order is issued.
“Surely it’s not possible for a commander to suddenly wake up and issue an Alert Status 1 order?” said Mahfud.
The issuance of the TNI’s Alert Status 1 order, according to Mahfud, may have been caused by geopolitical conditions that could potentially affect domestic political and economic stability.
“When it truly reaches the point of an Alert Status 1 order, it means something serious has occurred and certainly this would have been discussed beforehand,” said Mahfud.
In TNI Commander Telegram Number TR/283/2026, the TNI Commander issued seven main instructions to units within the TNI.
First, the TNI Main Operational Commander (Pangkotamaops) was instructed to mobilise personnel and major weapons systems equipment. In addition, they were also ordered to conduct patrols at strategic vital objects and economic centres.
These patrols include airports, seaports and river ports, railway stations, bus terminals, and important facilities such as the state electricity company’s offices.
Third, the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais) was instructed to order Indonesian defence attachés in countries affected by conflict to collect and map information about Indonesian nationals (WNI).
Additionally, they were asked to prepare evacuation plans if necessary. This action is undertaken in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Indonesian diplomatic representatives in the relevant countries.