Profile of Dudung Abdurachman, the New Presidential Chief of Staff Replacing Qodari

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Retired TNI General Dudung Abdurachman has been inaugurated as the Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP), replacing Muhammad Qodari. The appointment is based on Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No. 52 P of 2026 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Presidential Chief of Staff and the Head of the Government Communication Agency. Dudung assumes the position after previously serving as an advisor to President Prabowo Subianto, specifically as Special Presidential Advisor for National Defence. Dudung’s career began when he graduated from the Military Academy (Akmil) in 1988. The man born on 19 November 1965 in Bandung, West Java, immediately joined the TNI AD Infantry Corps. In his youth, Dudung served as a platoon leader from 1989 to 1994 in the 744/Satya Yudha Bakti Special Raider Infantry Battalion based in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara. The 744/Satya Yudha Bakti Special Raider Infantry Battalion was also the posting of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Dudung’s career continued to advance as company commander (1995), and class commander in the TNI AD Infantry Weapons Centre education unit (1995–1998). After serving in the 744/Satya Yudha Bakti Special Raider Infantry Battalion, Dudung was promoted to Deputy Commander (Wadan) of Yonif 401/Alugoro (1998–1999), Wadan Yonif 401/Banteng Raider (1999–2000), Chief of Staff of Kodim 0733/BS Semarang (2000–2002), and senior officer in operations within the Kodam II/Sriwijaya command (2002). After being promoted to colonel and holding several positions at TNI Headquarters, Dudung finally earned his star as Deputy Governor of Akmil (2015–2016). Subsequently, Dudung was trusted as special staff to the Chief of Staff of the TNI Army (2016–2017), and Deputy Territorial Assistant to the KSAD (2017–2018). Dudung received another promotion and rose to major general while serving as Governor of Akmil (2018–2020), then he continued to lead the region as Pangdam Jaya (2020–2021). While serving as Pangdam Jaya, Dudung attracted public attention due to several controversial actions. One of them was removing banners installed by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). After completing his tenure as Pangdam Jaya, Dudung was promoted as the 42nd Commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Pangkostrad), replacing Lieutenant General TNI Eko Margiyono in 2021. However, Dudung did not serve as Pangkostrad for a full year. In the same year, Joko Widodo, who was then president, appointed Dudung as KSAD. Dudung ultimately served as KSAD for one year and 342 days — until his retirement on 19 November 2023.