TNI Territorial Chief of Staff Position Restored Under Prabowo After 25-Year Absence
The position of Chief of Staff Territorial (Kaster TNI) has been reinstated under the Prabowo Subianto administration, marking its return after being abolished in 2001. TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto recently appointed Lieutenant General Bambang Trisnohadi to the role in a newly announced personnel reshuffle.
Bambang previously served as Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III. That position will now be filled by Major General Lucky Avianto, who previously commanded Military Regional Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora.
The Kaster TNI position was abolished in 2001 during President Abdurrahman Wahid’s administration. Former holders of the post included Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo and Lieutenant General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. After 25 years, the position has now been revived under Prabowo’s leadership.
In the same reshuffle, Major General Suhardi, who previously served as Deputy Territorial Assistant to the TNI Commander, now takes the role of Deputy Chief of Staff Territorial (Wakaster TNI).
Major General Frits Wilem Rizard Pelamonia, previously from the Office of Economic and Social Welfare Affairs of the Army Chief of Staff, becomes commander of Military Regional Command XXIV/Mandala Trikora.
Brigadier General Mirza Patria Jaya, from the C Directorate of the TNI Intelligence Agency, now holds the position of Deputy for Economic and Social Welfare Affairs in the Army Chief of Staff’s office. Colonel Wahyo Yuniartoto of Infantry, previously from the General Staff Assistant position at Military Regional Command IX/Udayana, becomes Director of the C Directorate of the TNI Intelligence Agency.
Brigadier General I Ketut Mertha Gunarda, formerly commander of Military District 173/Praja Vira Braja, now becomes General Staff Assistant to Military Regional Command IX/Udayana.
TNI Public Information Centre Chief Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah confirmed the officer transfers. He explained that personnel changes within the TNI are routine matters concerning officer career development and organisational requirements.
“This measure is taken to ensure the TNI remains adaptive to evolving operational challenges. Every decision is made based on considerations to support the execution of the TNI’s core duties,” said Aulia.