TNI Commander Explains Reasons for Adding 204 New Units

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto has revealed the reasons behind the addition of 204 new units within the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which were officially inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto during the 81st TNI Anniversary.

Agus referenced the ‘total defence’ doctrine, noting that Indonesia’s vast territory requires a robust defence system, including strong personnel to maintain national sovereignty.

“Therefore, the existing troops will be deployed as far as the smallest islands. We must ensure that our many islands are not left uninhabited, lest they be taken by other nations and our sovereignty be compromised,” Agus stated at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, Jakarta, on Monday (5/10).

Furthermore, he addressed the existence of the Territorial Development Battalions (Yon TP), which serve not only defence functions but also territorial and developmental roles. He noted that some of these territorial and developmental functions include assisting local communities with rice cultivation.

Agus explained that within the Yon TP units, out of the total nine infantry companies, four are designated as production companies.

“Those four companies are production companies that can plant, assist in planting rice, and so on; this is for the community. Everything we do is for the people. There are many fallow lands that we must manage well, and the results will be for the community,” he said.

Coinciding with the 81st TNI Anniversary, President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated 204 new units under the three branches of the TNI.

Six of these units are new Regional Military Commands (Kodam). These include Kodam XXV/Mahmud Riayat Syah, covering the island territories; Kodam XXVIII/Molku Kie Raha, covering North Maluku; and Kodam XXVI/Mataram, covering the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Additionally, the new commands include Kodam XXIX/Mambruk, Kodam Sobe Sonbai, which will oversee the territory of East Nusa Tenggara, and finally, Kodam XXX/Rinambora.