Minister of Social Affairs Explains Reason for Heroes' Cemetery Management Transfer to Defence Ministry

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, commonly known as Gus Ipul, has explained the rationale behind transferring the management of Heroes’ Cemeteries (Taman Makam Pahlawan, or TMP) from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) to the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan).

Gus Ipul stated that over 200 Heroes’ Cemeteries currently fall under the purview of Kemensos, including the National Heroes’ Cemetery at Kalibata in Jakarta. “There are more than 200 Heroes’ Cemeteries managed by Kemensos, including Kalibata. In my view, the Defence Ministry is the most appropriate organisation to manage these cemeteries across various regions,” Gus Ipul said during a meeting at Kemensos headquarters in Central Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

Gus Ipul acknowledged that Kemensos has faced capacity and resource limitations in managing these cemeteries optimally. He noted that the Defence Ministry, with its significantly larger human resources capacity, is better positioned to assume this responsibility. “This is not really within the purview of the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is more appropriate for the Defence Ministry, which has greater human resources,” he explained.

Gus Ipul further noted that the Defence Ministry is well-suited to developing patriotic values, as Heroes’ Cemeteries serve not merely as burial grounds but also as educational spaces for the public. Should the transition proceed as planned, the Defence Ministry will assume full management of Heroes’ Cemeteries nationwide from 1 April 2026. “We plan for this to take effect on 1 April. This is still a transition period, but Kemensos will continue to assist during the transition with the resources we previously had,” he stated.

The transfer of management authority to the Defence Ministry follows a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto, intended to strengthen the maintenance, oversight, and authenticity of these sites in accordance with national values. During a meeting, Gus Ipul and Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan Taufanto agreed to accelerate the transition process for completion by April.

Currently, 216 National Heroes’ Graves are located at the main Kalibata National Heroes’ Cemetery.