Minister of Social Affairs and Deputy Defence Minister Discuss Transition of National War Heroes Cemetery Management

Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos), Saifullah Yusuf, commonly known as Gus Ipul, met with Deputy Minister of Defence (Wamenhan), Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Donny Ermawan Taufanto at the offices of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March.

The meeting discussed plans for the transition of management of the Utama Kalibata National War Heroes Cemetery (TMPN) from Kemensos to the Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan). Gus Ipul stated that the transition process is targeted for completion in April. He was accompanied by the Director General of Social Empowerment at Kemensos, Mira Riyati Kurniasih.

“Both legally and technically, please proceed. The target is to hand over on 1 April. However, we can submit the documentation before April—even during the fasting month it is acceptable,” said Gus Ipul on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Gus Ipul further explained that his ministry would continue coordinating with Kemenhan throughout the transition process. During the transfer and regulation-drafting phase, Kemensos will establish a transition team and continue to support cemetery management by providing human resources and financing for maintenance and related costs.

“So on 1 April, operations will already be under Kemenhan. While we provide backup support, because we still have the human resources and financing for maintenance and so forth, we will back that up until Kemenhan has its own budget,” said Gus Ipul.

Currently, there are 216 National War Heroes burial sites at the Utama Kalibata National War Heroes Cemetery. The transfer of management to Kemenhan is a direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto, aimed at strengthening maintenance and oversight of authenticity and honouring in accordance with national values.

“The Defence Ministry is the most appropriate authority for this. There is no other ministry that should handle the war heroes cemetery. I never thought the President would request such a transfer,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Donny explained that the management of the Utama Kalibata National War Heroes Cemetery will continue to involve the Garrison.

“Yes, we will implement this at the Garrison as well. If not, then at the Regional Military Command (Kodam),” he said.

He also commended the swift action taken by Kemensos and Kemenhan to carry out the transition of cemetery management.

“I appreciate this. We will implement the President’s order as quickly as possible,” he said.