TNI Territorial Chief of Staff Position Reinstated After Nearly Two Decades

Indonesia’s Military Commander (Panglima TNI) General Agus Subiyanto has appointed Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi as Chief of Staff for Territorial Affairs (Kaster) TNI. The Kaster TNI position has re-emerged after being abolished during the administration of Indonesia’s fourth President, Abdurrahman Wahid, commonly known as Gus Dur.

According to a mutation letter reviewed on Wednesday (11 March 2026), Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi has been appointed to the position of Kaster TNI. Previously, Lieutenant General Bambang served as Commander of Regional Defence Command III (Pangkogabwilhan III).

The position of Pangkogabwilhan III is now held by Major General Lucky Avianto, who previously served as Commander of Military Regional Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora (Panglima Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora).

The Kaster TNI position was previously abolished during President Gus Dur’s administration. According to the 2003 Human Rights Report published by the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam), the position was originally named Chief of Socio-Political Affairs (Kasospol) TNI. Over time, however, the position’s name changed to Chief of Staff for Territorial Affairs (Kaster) TNI. This position carried out the TNI’s work in the socio-political sphere.

The position was previously held by Agus Widjojo until Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. During the reform era, Gus Dur implemented significant reforms to the TNI institution. Several changes were made to the TNI’s structure under Gus Dur’s leadership, including the abolition of the Kaster TNI position in 2001.

Previously, TNI Information Centre Chief (Kapuspen TNI) Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah had confirmed the mutation. Aulia stated that mutations within the TNI are a routine occurrence.

“I would like to state that position mutations within the TNI are a normal matter, part of career development for military personnel and organisational requirements,” Aulia told journalists on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

Aulia stated that the mutation was carried out to ensure the TNI organisation remains adaptive. He stressed that the decision supports the execution of the TNI’s core duties.

“This step is also undertaken to ensure the TNI organisation remains adaptive to the dynamic challenges of its duties. Every decision is made based on considerations to support the execution of the TNI’s core responsibilities,” he said.