Robi Herbawan, Former Aide to Prabowo, Appointed as Head of TNI's BAIS
TNI Headquarters has appointed Lieutenant General Robi Herbawan as the Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). Previously, Robi served as Head of the Intelligence Information and Communication Agency at the Ministry of Defence.
Brigadier General Rico Sirait, Head of the Defence Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence’s General Secretariat, stated that Robi’s selection as BAIS Head is part of the regeneration process. “His track record is appropriate for undertaking the responsibility of the TNI BAIS Head position,” Rico said via WhatsApp message on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
According to Rico, during his service in the Ministry of Defence environment, Robi Herbawan is known as one of the TNI’s senior officers with experience and competence in defence intelligence.
He explained that Robi Herbawan is also recognised for having a good understanding of strategic dynamics and cross-institutional coordination, so with that track record, Robi is considered fit to hold his new position. “He is a calm and communicative figure,” Rico stated.
Robi Herbawan is an alumnus of the 1994 Military Academy class. He is a soldier who spent a considerable part of his career in the Special Forces Command, particularly in the Counter-Terrorism Unit. Records show that Robi served in this elite unit for 12 years.
This three-star officer also once served as an aide to President Prabowo Subianto, who was then the Kopassus General Commander. Robi then continued his career in the intelligence field after completing his education at the Army Staff and Command School.
During the period from 2016 to 2018, Robi, who was then a Colonel, was entrusted to serve as the Commander of the TNI BAIS Task Force in Aceh. After that, Robi’s career moved to the Ministry of Defence.
Robi Herbawan will replace Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, who resigned amid the investigation into the alleged premeditated murder of activist Andrie Yunus. Yudi resigned after four of his soldiers were proven to have thrown acid at the Kontras activist.
On 25 March, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, Head of the TNI Headquarters Information Centre, stated that the leadership change in the intelligence unit was due to the involvement of BAIS soldiers.
“As a form of accountability, today the handover of the BAIS Head position has been carried out,” Aulia said at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.