Military Headquarters Reveals Rationale for Revival of Kaster Position Following Abolition During Gus Dur Era

Commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto has reintroduced the position of Chief of Territorial Staff (Kaster) TNI, now held by Lieutenant General (Letjen) Bambang Trisnohadi. The TNI Military Headquarters states the position has been restored to ensure the TNI remains adaptive to evolving operational challenges.

“The establishment of the Chief of Territorial Staff (Kaster) TNI position is one effort to ensure the TNI organisation remains adaptive to the dynamics of operational challenges,” said Chief of the Information Centre (Kapuspen) TNI, Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah when contacted on Sunday (15 March 2026).

Aulia stated that the Kaster TNI position is tasked with assisting the TNI Commander. He explained that the duties and functions of Kaster TNI are expected to strengthen TNI cohesion.

“The Kaster TNI official is tasked with assisting the TNI Commander in formulating policy and managing territorial functions, which represents one of the TNI’s primary functions, particularly in strengthening TNI cohesion with the people and enhancing territorial defence capabilities,” he explained.

Kaster TNI Position Reappears

It is understood that TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto appointed Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi as Kaster TNI. The Kaster TNI position has reappeared following its abolition during the administration of Indonesia’s fourth President, Abdurrahman Wahid, commonly known as Gus Dur.

In a transfer letter viewed on Wednesday (11 March), Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi was appointed as Kaster TNI. Letjen Bambang previously served as commander of Pangkogabwilhan III.

The Pangkogabwilhan III position is now held by Major General Lucky Avianto, who previously served as commander of Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora.

The Kaster TNI position was abolished during the administration of Indonesia’s fourth President, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).

According to the 2003 Human Rights Report published by the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam), the position was originally named Chief of Socio-Political Affairs (Kasospol) TNI. However, over time, the position was renamed Chief of Territorial Staff (Kaster) TNI. The position carried out the TNI’s sociopolitical functions.

The position was previously held by Agus Widjojo until Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). During the reform era, Gus Dur undertook reformation processes within the TNI institution. One of these involved abolishing the Kaster TNI position in 2001.