Government Considers Military Expansion in National Counterterrorism Strategy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian government is exploring a more extensive role for the Indonesian Military (TNI) in domestic counterterrorism operations to address the evolving complexity of global and local threats. Minister of State, Secretary Prasetyo Hadi,  highlighted this strategic shift following a high-level briefing delivered by President Prabowo Subianto to the leadership of the TNI and the Indonesian Police (Polri).

The directive was issued during the TNI-Polri Leadership Meeting held in the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday,  9 February 2026. During the session, the President affirmed the need for a synchronized response between defense and security forces to maintain national stability amidst a shifting security landscape.

Speaking to the press after the closed-door meeting, State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, explained that the expansion of the TNI's role is a necessary response to modern security dynamics. He reassured the public that the government is currently drafting specific regulations to ensure that military involvement remains targeted and does not interfere with the institution's primary defense mandate.

“That is precisely the point. Everything must be considered, including the main duties, but also, first, the scale. Second, we must realise that everything evolves, including terrorism. That is why regulations and measures are needed to anticipate these developments,” Hadi stated.

In terms of the legal framework, the government has opted for a streamlined approach by utilizing a Presidential Regulation to govern the technicalities of military involvement. This path was chosen to avoid the lengthy legislative process required for a formal revision of the TNI Law, prioritizing bureaucratic efficiency and rapid response capabilities.

The State Secretary noted that the current legal landscape allows for such adjustments without reopening fundamental legislative debates. He further explained, “It is a technical issue, because, for example, the TNI Law has already been passed and revised. Then we see that to speed up the process, it is just a matter of necessity, perhaps we will regulate it without including it in the law.”

Beyond counterterrorism, the President used the Leadership Meeting as an opportunity to commend the integrated efforts of the TNI and Polri in disaster management and the protection of strategic national programs. He underscored that the synergy between these two institutions is the backbone of the country's resilience against both natural and man-made challenges.

Moreover, the President at the meeting also instructed both organizations to strengthen fair law enforcement and support the implementation of the ASRI Indonesia program. He specifically called for the strict protection of natural resources, framing environmental and resource security as vital components for ensuring national stability and progress in the years to come.