Minister of Social Affairs Explains Rationale for Heroes' Cemeteries Management Transfer to Defence Ministry
The Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf will transfer the management of heroes’ cemeteries (taman makam pahlawan, TMP) to the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan). The management transfer will encompass Kalibata Cemetery, cemeteries in Timor Leste and Malaysia, and 200 other cemeteries scattered within and outside Indonesia.
According to Saifullah, commonly known as Gus Ipul, heroes’ cemeteries are indeed more appropriately managed by the Ministry of Defence. The reasoning is that the Ministry of Defence possesses stronger values of heroism. Furthermore, the management of struggle sites is said to have close connections with the field of national defence.
He emphasised that the management of heroes’ cemeteries is not merely about cemetery maintenance, but also relates to efforts to socialise values of struggle to the public, especially the younger generation. “For this reason, the Ministry of Defence is more appropriate to manage heroes’ cemeteries,” said Gus Ipul.
Beyond considerations of heroic values, the infrastructure and resources available to the Ministry of Defence also serve as a reason for transferring the management of heroes’ cemeteries. Gus Ipul believes the Ministry of Defence has more adequate human resources and budgetary support, so it is expected to manage these areas more optimally.
Previously, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf met with Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan Taufanto at the Office of the Ministry of Social Affairs on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. This meeting followed up on President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to transfer the management of heroes’ cemeteries to the Ministry of Defence as soon as possible.
According to plans, Gus Ipul stated, the transfer of management will take effect from 1 April 2026 onwards. He explained that the Ministry of Social Affairs will continue to provide financial support during the transition period. “Financing for maintenance and everything, we will back-up, until the Ministry of Defence has its own budget,” he said.