Ministry of Social Affairs Transfers Management of Main National Heroes' Cemetery to Ministry of Defence, DPD Proposes Amendment to Social Welfare Law

The government is beginning the process of transferring the management of the Main National Heroes’ Cemetery (TMPNU) from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) to the Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan). This aligns with discussions on revising Law No. 11 of 2009 on Social Welfare by the DPD RI. DPD RI Chairman Sultan B Najamudin stated that this agreement represents an important momentum, as it aligns with the legislative agenda being prepared by his side. “Today, we from the DPD RI discussed with colleagues from Kemenhan and Kemensos. The point is that the DPD is proposing a revision to the Social Welfare Law, and at the same time, there is an agreement between Kemenhan and Kemensos regarding the management of TMPNU,” explained Sultan in a written statement on Wednesday (8/4/2026). “This is the right momentum; in principle, we welcome it well,” he added. According to Sultan, the agreement will become part of the legislative material to be submitted by the DPD in the regulatory change process. “Later, in terms of legislation or laws, it will enter the materials to be submitted by the DPD RI,” explained Sultan. Sultan added that the legislative process must be carried out carefully to avoid overlapping regulations. In line with this, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono stated that the transfer of TMPNU management is a follow-up to the directive from President Prabowo Subianto. Agus explained that the step is driven by resource limitations in Kemensos, as well as considerations to maintain the honour and dignity of the Heroes’ Cemetery (TMP) and Heroes’ Graves. “We have carried out the technical process; we have signed an MoU between Kemensos and Kemenhan. This means that de facto, the President’s directive for the transfer of TMP management has been completed,” explained Agus. Agus added that the remaining task is to finalise the legal framework through regulatory changes. “So we are synergising to change that regulation. So that the management (of TMP), which has previously been handled by Kemensos, is transferred to Kemenhan,” he said. In agreement, Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan assessed that the transfer will strengthen the utilisation of TMP as a space for national education. He also considered management by Kemenhan more relevant, given that the utilisation of TMP, especially in Kalibata, has long involved TNI elements. During the transition period, Kemensos and Kemenhan have agreed on joint management for one year while awaiting the completion of the legislative process. “For the joint management, we have implemented it from the beginning of this month until the end of this year,” he concluded.