Plan to Build Development Battalions Deemed Ineffective, Academic Reveals Reasoning
The plan to develop hundreds of Territorial Development Battalions (Yon TP), proposed by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, has drawn responses from various sectors, including academics, legal experts, lecturers, and activists.
The proposal is viewed as having the potential to trigger agrarian conflicts and the seizure of customary lands by the TNI, as has occurred in various regions from Sabang to Merauke.
To discuss this controversy, the Merah Putih Institute held a public discussion themed “Questioning Defence Policy in the Acceleration of Hundreds of Territorial Development Battalions: National Resilience or the Defence Minister’s Ambition.”
The discussion aimed to critically and comprehensively address the urgency, legal basis, and socio-political impacts of Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s proposal for the development of Yon TP.
During the discussion held by the Merah Putih Institute in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, Fauzan Ohorella, Director of MPI and an activist for democracy and civilian supremacy, expressed criticism of the proposal. He noted that under Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), specifically Article 7, paragraph (2), letter b regarding Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), there is no provision for the TNI to manage development, agriculture, health, or community development.
“Furthermore, Article 7, paragraph (3) of the TNI Law emphasises that the implementation of OMSP must be based on the policies and political decisions of the state,” said Fauzan Ohorella.
Fauzan also described Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as a “Super Busy” Minister, assessing that he is too preoccupied with sectors that fall outside the domain of defence. “I say this because from banking and the economy to development and community empowerment, Minister Sjafrie wants to take over everything. That is why I call him a ‘Super Busy’ Defence Minister, as these tasks fall outside the primary duties or domain of National Defence,” he stated.
Additionally, Fauzan suggested that President Prabowo Subianto, as the Chairman of the National Defence Council, may have concerns that the development of Yon TP could not only trigger conflicts between civilians and the military but also impose a massive burden on the state budget.
“We believe that President Prabowo, as Head of Government and Chairman of the DPN, will not take such a significant risk regarding the ambitions of Defence Minister Sjafric Sjamsoeddin with this Yon TP proposal. Because this could lead to both civil-military conflict and a heavy burden on the national budget later on,” Fauzan asserted.
Constitutional Law academic, Rorano, stated that the military’s entry into civilian spaces threatens democracy and human rights. He argued that increased TNI involvement in civilian affairs would lead to restrictions within the governance process.
“What is the urgency for forming these battalions? Is it because, for example, the Ministry of Agriculture is no longer functioning, necessitating TNI involvement, or is it because civilians are no longer effective in managing social affairs, thus requiring the TNI to handle such matters?” Rorano questioned.
On the other hand, a Constitutional Law lecturer from the University of Jakarta, Yepiter, noted that the 1945 Constitution clearly mandates the President as the supreme commander of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while simultaneously holding the executive power of government.