TNI Alert One Status Violates Constitution
A coalition of civil society groups advocating for security sector reform has criticised the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto’s telegram establishing Alert One status for military personnel as inconsistent with the constitution. Telegram number TR/283/2026, issued in response to attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, has drawn significant legal scrutiny.
According to the coalition, military deployment authority should rest with the President, not the TNI Commander. “Assessment of national developments and evolving geopolitical dynamics, as well as TNI deployment, should be conducted by the President and Parliament as representatives of the people,” stated Julius Ibrani, a coalition member, in a written statement on Monday, 9 March 2026.
The coalition argues that the TNI Commander lacks the authority and mandate to assess the current situation. As a state defence instrument, the TNI’s role is solely to implement defence policies established by the President. “It is therefore inappropriate and incorrect for the TNI Commander to assess the situation and deploy military forces,” Ibrani stated.
The coalition contends that military involvement at Alert One status is not currently necessary. National security and defence conditions remain under control by civilian government and law enforcement authorities. No real escalation of threats to national sovereignty exists that would justify military mobilisation under Alert One protocols. Civil institutions and law enforcement have not requested presidential authorisation for military involvement at this level.
The coalition emphasises that military involvement in OMSP (military operations in support of law enforcement) constitutes a last resort, implemented only when civilian capacity is exhausted.
The coalition has demanded that the President and Parliament evaluate and revoke the telegram as unconstitutional and unnecessary. The coalition warns that failure to revoke the measure may indicate the government is deliberately employing politics of fear to consolidate power against critical groups, particularly given mounting public criticism of the administration.
The coalition comprises Indonesia RISK Centre, Imparsial, Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, Kontras, Amnesty International Indonesia, Human Rights Working Group, WALHI, Centra Initiative, ICW, Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Jakarta, SETARA Institute, LBH Press, LBH Community, LBH Surabaya Pos Malang, Alliance for Papua Democracy, Public Virtue, Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Jakarta, Association for Indigenous Community Defenders of the Archipelago, BEM SI, De Jure, Raksha Initiative, Legal Aid Institute Association of Indonesian Women for Justice, Indonesian Women’s Coalition, LBH Medan, and AJI Indonesia. The coalition has called on Parliament and the President to instruct the TNI Commander to revoke the telegram for violating the constitution.