Temanggung Farmers Protest Territorial Battalion Construction
Farmers in Selosabrang Village, Temanggung Regency, Central Java, have raised objections to the construction of a territorial development battalion in the area. The farmers’ concerns were expressed during a dialogue forum between residents and stakeholders, as shared on social media.
One account that reposted the dialogue segment was @suaraakarrumputt on Instagram. In the video, a farmer voiced opposition before Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel, police, and village officials.
During his speech, he stated that the military’s territorial battalion construction would impact Selosabrang’s food security land. ‘If this battalion construction proceeds, Selosabrang’s agricultural land will be gone,’ he said.
Consequently, he warned that residents’ livelihoods would be affected, with farmers on the brink of poverty due to the battalion’s development.
Tempo contacted Lieutenant Colonel Jon Young Saragi, Chief of Public Affairs for Kodam IV/Diponegoro, but no response was received as of publication.
The TNI Headquarters stated it would address residents’ objections regarding the territorial battalion construction. Chief of Public Affairs for TNI Headquarters Brigadier General Muhammad Nas said the Army branch would handle the protest.
‘The Army’s field units will seek the best solution with the community,’ he said when contacted on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
The Ministry of Defence aims to complete 750 territorial battalions by 2029, with 150 built annually. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin specified that every regency or city in Java should have its own territorial development battalion. He stated the policy is intended to safeguard national sovereignty.
He added that territorial battalion construction is crucial given current circumstances. For instance, before their establishment, some areas had high crime rates such as muggings. ‘Crime has dropped by over 50%,’ he said on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
Sjafrie also claimed the battalions are needed in communities not only for security stability. ‘There are soldiers from pesantrens and non-Muslim religious figures. They enter churches with the community, and in mosques, they can serve as imams or khatibs,’ he said.
He continued that territorial battalion soldiers also contribute to improving education quality, such as teaching in schools facing staff shortages.
Their presence in communities also boosts local economies, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) setting up businesses near battalion posts.