Reinstatement of Chief of Territorial Staff Position within Indonesian Military
The position of Chief of Territorial Staff of the Indonesian Armed Forces (Kaster TNI) has been reactivated following an absence of more than two decades. Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, Head of the TNI Information Centre, stated this represents an adaptive response to evolving operational challenges and task dynamics.
The Kaster TNI official will be tasked with assisting the TNI Commander in formulating organisational policy. The role will also oversee the development of territorial functions, one of the military’s primary operational domains, particularly in strengthening TNI unity with the civilian population and enhancing defensive regional capabilities.
The reinstatement of the Kaster TNI position was formalised through a personnel movement and rotation directive issued by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto on Saturday, 14 March 2026. Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi was appointed to the position. Trisnohadi previously served as Commander of Combined Regional Defence Command III. His previous appointment has been filled by Major General Lucky Avianto, who previously served as Commander of Military Area Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora.
Aulia emphasised that personnel rotations conducted by institutional leadership are routine occurrences, carried out for career development and to meet organisational requirements. He stressed that the decision to reactivate the Kaster TNI position was not made hastily. “Each decision is made based on considerations to support the execution of the TNI’s primary duties,” he stated.
The Kaster TNI position was abolished during President Abdurrahman Wahid’s administration in 2001. At that time, the position held by Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo was planned for elimination as Widjojo was to be inaugurated as Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly representing the TNI/National Police faction. Besides Widjojo, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono served in this position historically.