TNI High Command: No Direct Order from Commander to Combat Bandits, But...

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The TNI High Command (Mabes TNI) has confirmed there is no direct order from TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto for military personnel to participate in eradicating bandits.

However, TNI Public Affairs Chief Brigadier General Muhammad Nas stated that the Commander supports military personnel’s presence on the ground to assist the police.

‘No specific instruction from the TNI Commander for anti-bandit operations, but approval for TNI personnel to do so under the principle of presence on the ground,’ Nas said during confirmation on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

Nas emphasised that criminal case handling remains the authority of the Indonesian National Police (Polri).

Therefore, TNI does not enforce law against civilians.

‘TNI is present to assist the Indonesian Police in accordance with legal regulations,’ Nas said.

According to Nas, TNI and Polri have consistently coordinated and synergised according to their respective duties and authorities to ensure on-ground operations remain within legal boundaries.

Previously reported, amid efforts to combat bandits, TNI has also been involved in security patrols in Jakarta and surrounding areas.

Kodam Jaya Public Affairs Chief Lieutenant Colonel Arh Noor Iskak said his unit has deployed personnel from Koramil, Kodim, to combat battalions for joint police patrols.

‘We have already implemented joint patrols from the grassroots level,’ Iskak said at a press conference at the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on Friday, 22 May 2026.

According to Iskak, TNI’s involvement is to support regional security and provide a sense of safety for the public.

Beyond joint patrols, security issues are also linked to plans to form 750 new battalions by 2029.

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that territorial development battalions are needed as many regions previously lacked military units.

‘What happened? Criminal bandits are rampant,’ Sjafrie said during a Komisi I DPR meeting in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

According to Sjafrie, crime rates in several regions have decreased after TNI deployed battalions and established bases in those areas.

He added that territorial development battalions also conduct mobile patrols and revive the neighbourhood security system (siskamling).