TNI Addresses Regional Protests Over Territorial Development Battalion Construction
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters has commented on public protests regarding the construction of territorial development battalions in several regions. TNI Public Affairs Chief Brigadier General Muhammad Nas stated that the TNI continues to prioritise a persuasive and dialogical approach in building Territorial Development Battalions (Yon TP).
He denied claims that battalion construction was taking place on citizens’ land. “Yon TP construction is on state-owned land and has been coordinated with local governments. It is incorrect to say the TNI has seized land as it is built on sites prepared by local authorities,” Nas said when contacted on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
Residents in several regions have opposed the construction of Yonif TP headquarters. One example is the planned Yonif TP headquarters at Jenderal Sudirman Road Km 18 in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province, which was protested by locals over alleged land seizure from farming groups (poktan).
The Territorial Development Battalion (Yon TP) 872 in North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, has sparked public opposition. The protests went viral on social media after videos circulated showing tensions between residents and TNI personnel at the proposed construction site.
Commander of the XXII/Tambun Bungai Military Regional Command in Central Kalimantan, Major General TNI Zainul Arifin, stated there are no issues regarding the 79 hectares of land for the construction of the 923/Mentaya Infantry Territorial Development Battalion (Yonif TP) in East Kotawaringin Regency.
“The people of Sampit do not oppose Yonif TP; they merely seek clarification on land status. The Assistant I has already explained that the land claimed by residents differs from the current construction site,” Zainul said on Monday, 25 May 2026.
Zainul claimed the currently used land has been cleared administratively and is free of issues. He explained that of the total planned development area of 300 hectares, the initial phase covers only 79 hectares. The land claimed by heirs is said to be outside the current construction zone.
Residents also protested the construction of a Yon TP headquarters in Rampoang Village, Tana Lili Subdistrict, North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, in December 2025. The area, a palm oil plantation, was reportedly to be the site of Yon TP 872.
Indigenous Kwipalo residents in Jagebob District, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, have also rejected the construction of a Yonif TP headquarters on their customary land.
YLBHI (Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation) Permanent Council Member Emanuel Gobay stated that the land for the 817/Aoba Infantry Battalion Command Headquarters is disputed between PT Murni Nusantara Mandiri and the Kwipalo clan leadership. The land is customary territory of the Kwipalo clan and was never ceded to PT MNM.
Vincent Kwipalo, leader of the Kwipalo clan, was visited by TNI personnel opposing the construction.
Army Public Affairs Chief Brigadier General Donny Pramono claimed the presence of a Yonif TP 817/Aoba officer at a local community leader’s residence was not intimidation or pressure regarding customary land decisions. “The soldier’s visit was part of territorial development and social communication activities aimed at fostering relations, listening to community concerns, and maintaining security,” Donny said in a voice message on Sunday, 25 January 2026.
A week ago, before the DPR RI’s Commission I, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin outlined plans to establish 750 territorial development battalions within five years.
Sjafrie stated the initiative aims to safeguard national sovereignty, noting Indonesia has 514 regencies/cities, with around 11 located in border areas with other countries.
“We aim to establish 150 battalions annually to cover all 514 regencies/cities,” Sjafrie said during a working meeting with Commission I of the DPR on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
In addition to the annual target of 150 battalions, he added that the Ministry of Defence aims to have all Java-based regencies/cities established with territorial development battalions by 2026.