Menko Polkam Djamari Rejects Offer of Minangkabau Datuk Title, Angered by Disrespect to Tradition

JAKARTA — Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Retired General Djamari Chaniago revealed that he rejected an offer to be conferred the Minangkabau Datuk title shortly after being appointed as minister.

“As soon as I became Menko Polkam, a traditional leader from West Sumatra came to my office and offered to make me a Datuk,” Djamari said, according to a video circulating on social media on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

The video was confirmed by the public relations chief of the Menko Polkam’s office, Colonel Infantry Honi Havana.

“(It was when Pak Djamari attended) an event at Sespim Polri,” Havana said when contacted.

During the event, Djamari expressed bewilderment that the traditional leader had not recognised him previously, despite his long use of the Chaniago surname, one of the major clans in Minangkabau society.

“I told him, ‘I am a Minangkabau from the start; I took the Chaniago name when I was a cadet. Why are the Minangkabau people only recognising me now?’” he explained.

Djamari said his remark made the adat leader’s face turn red.

Djamari then questioned the meaning and benefit of the title if given to him, but said the leader did not provide a clear answer. He also raised the matter of another Datuk whom the adat leader had previously appointed—a general who subsequently became embroiled in drug trafficking.

“Why did you make that mistake? ‘You conferred the rank of Datuk on a general, and he became the source of drug abuse. Are you going to compare me with that drug trafficker?’ He said nothing,” Djamari added.

For these reasons, Djamari firmly rejected the Datuk title offer.

“I asked him in return, how could you confer the rank on someone without knowing their background? The Datuk is an honourable position in Minangkabau tradition. Aren’t you the one destroying that tradition yourself?” he concluded.