Presidential Adviser Claims Unaware of Military Commander's Alert Status Telegram

Presidential Special Adviser for Political and Security Affairs Wiranto has claimed he has not yet reviewed the Indonesian Military Commander’s telegram regarding the establishment of Alert Status I for all defence units across Indonesia. He stated he has not read the document and therefore cannot offer any commentary.

When asked whether the decision had been consulted with the President, Wiranto initially appeared taken aback. Upon clarification that the Military Commander had issued the alert status via telegram which has since been widely circulated, Wiranto responded that he had not yet read it, when met at the Indonesian People’s Party office in Jakarta on Sunday evening, 8 March 2026.

Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto issued the telegram establishing Alert Status I for all defence units in Indonesia on 1 March 2026. The decision requires all military units to maintain high-level readiness to counter domestic threats amid escalating Middle Eastern conflict following the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The telegram specified that the military must position personnel and deploy main weapons systems. Armed forces are also required to conduct patrols at strategically vital facilities and economic centres, including airports, seaports, railway stations, and bus terminals.

Additionally, orders were issued for the Jaya/Jayakarta Regional Military Command to conduct security patrols at foreign embassy offices in Jakarta. Intelligence units were mobilised to detect and prevent early threats should any groups seek to exploit the Middle Eastern situation to create domestic instability.

Meanwhile, Defence Ministry Information Bureau Chief Brigadier General Rico Ricardo stated that the establishment of defence unit alert status is an operational authority of the Military Commander. Rico noted that operational decisions such as Alert Status I do not require prior approval from the Defence Ministry.

“In the working relationship mechanism between the Defence Ministry and the Military, operational matters such as this do not always require prior approval from the Defence Ministry,” said Rico when confirmed on Monday, 9 March 2026.