Parliament Deems Commander's Directive on Iran-US War Irrelevant
Members of Parliament Commission I have questioned the issuance of a Telegram by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto responding to geopolitical conflict in Arab nations triggered by the Iran-US-Israel war.
Commission member TB Hasanuddin criticised one of the telegram’s instructions that places troops at vital infrastructure including airports, terminals and railway stations, deeming it irrelevant.
“But if ordinary units are stationed, for example, for patrols in alleyways on the ground, that’s irrelevant, isn’t it?” Hasanuddin said when contacted on Monday 9 March.
According to Hasanuddin, alert level one in a defence context represents the highest state of readiness. This means all troops are concentrated, military equipment is prepared and individual logistics are arranged.
However, Hasanuddin argued that stationing troops at vital infrastructure does not align with factual conditions and is premature. In the context of modern warfare, particularly the Iran-US escalation, attacks are conducted at distance rather than through ground expansion.
Therefore, he contended that preparedness should focus on air corridors.
“If the reference is indeed to confront a war in the Gulf, in the Middle East, it’s too far. Too early, too early,” Hasanuddin stated.
“Unless, of course, a country wants to launch a ground attack. Or if, for instance, there’s fear of stray missiles, then air defence should be prepared. That’s what should be arranged,” he added.
The PDI Struggle politician also questioned why the Telegram leaked to the public when it should remain internal for military readiness purposes.
“It should only be for internal TNI purposes—why does it have to go outside?” he remarked.
Conversely, Deputy Chair of Commission I Dave Laksono viewed the Commander’s Telegram as evidence of TNI’s response to global geopolitical situations, which he considers important for reassuring the public.
“This demonstrates the alertness of defence personnel facing global dynamics whilst also providing assurance to the public that the state is present with full responsibility,” Dave stated.
The Commander’s instruction was contained in TNI Commander Telegram Number TR/283/2026, signed by the TNI Commander’s Operations Assistant Lieutenant General Bobby Rinal Makmun on 1 March 2026.
The letter contains seven instructions for the military hierarchy to commence alert level one by preparing strategic measures domestically should the escalation from the Iran-US-Israel war continue unabated.
Beyond troop preparedness, the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Body was instructed to direct defence attachés in affected countries to map conditions of Indonesian citizens and prepare evacuation plans if necessary.
The Intelligence Body was directed to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian embassies and relevant authorities according to escalation in the Middle East region.