Security Expert: Alert Level 3 a Measured Government Response to National Security

Jakarta — A defence and security observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISSES), Khairul Fahmi, has assessed the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) downgrade of alert status from Level 1 to Level 3 as a measured response to national security readiness.

“Moreover, according to doctrine, alert status is inherently dynamic and can be adjusted at any time to align with the level of contingency escalation in the field,” Khairul Fahmi told media outlets when contacted in Jakarta on Friday.

Khairul viewed the implementation of Level 3 alert as a step in military operational management based purely on the proportionality of threats and the doctrine of resource efficiency within the TNI.

“The use of operational alert units must be adjusted according to requirements to ensure efficiency and avoid depleting soldier energy and logistics,” he stated.

According to Khairul, measured management enables the public to better understand how the state maintains security readiness in handling both global and national emergencies.

“We know that the term Level 1 alert is often perceived by the general public as an indicator of a national emergency,” he said.

Furthermore, Khairul noted that the initial implementation of Level 1 alert status was specifically intended to conduct inspections of personnel and equipment readiness, which was managerially sound.

“If a comprehensive inspection were forced during Level 3, military leaders would not be able to see an accurate picture of the maximum readiness of their entire forces,” he explained.

Khairul further elaborated that at Level 3 alert status, the mobilised force strength comprises only one-third (1/3) of the total unit strength. In contrast, at Level 1 (heavy alert), all forms of leave and permission are revoked, and alert force strength must be at 100 per cent.

Therefore, he stated that with the intention of the alert level to verify total readiness in a realistic and comprehensive manner, the Level 1 alert designation was an absolutely necessary instrument.

“After the goal of that inspection is achieved, it is entirely normal and standard procedure for the status to be returned to Level 3 posture,” he concluded.