Minister Sjafrie Urges Fostering Ties with Seniors-Retired TNI Top-Rank Officers

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesia's Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, held a meeting with retired generals of the Indonesian Military (TNI) at a friendly gathering event at the Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense in Jakarta on Friday, April 24, 2026. He also expressed his appreciation to the retired top-rank officers who attended.

“I express my gratitude to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, the Almighty God. All of us here, on behalf of the senior officers of the Ministry of Defense and TNI Headquarters, would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your willingness to take the time to attend this gathering of TNI retirees,” Sjafrie said.

He further stated that over the past two years, the government has been working on strengthening national defense, particularly the development of TNI capabilities.

“This also shows that over nearly the past two years, we have been working together cooperating and jointly carrying out efforts to build the nation’s defense strength, especially the development of TNI forces,” he conveyed.

Moreover, he acknowledged that his office has not widely shared information with the public regarding defense development, noting that this is due to the sensitivity of defense-related issues.

“We need to inform you that we have indeed not provided much information to the public, as the development of national defense capabilities requires careful attention regarding what can be disclosed,” he said.

During the forum, Sjafrie also underscored the importance of input from retired TNI top-rank officers in formulating strategic defense policies. “Therefore, today we wish to build up ties with our elders, seniors, and retired TNI top-rank officers by holding this joint activity involving the TNI Commander, the Minister of Defense, and the Chiefs of Staff to gather input,” he said.

“I will convey some essential points that may need to be known by our senior TNI figures, which are closely related to defense strategy. After that, the TNI Commander will also explain key aspects that should be understood by our senior and retired officers,” Sjafrie stated. (AF)

Furthermore, Sjafrie stressed that defense development remains grounded in fundamental principles rooted in history and the constitution. “What must not be forgotten is the fundamental principle of our service to the nation, which historically derives from the Generation of ’45, serving as the cornerstone of national defense development and particularly the development of the Indonesian Military,” he said.

Several retired TNI top-rank figures who attended included former Chief Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) General (Rtd) Wiranto; former TNI Commanders Admiral (Rtd) Agus Suhartono, General (Rtd) Andika Perkasa, Air Marshal (Rtd) Djoko Suyanto, and General (Rtd) Gatot Nurmantyo; former General Commander of Indonesian Army Special Force Lieutenant General (Rtd) Agum Gumelar; former Chief of Navy Staff Admiral (Rtd) Marsetio; and other retired top-rank officers.

The meeting was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Deputy TNI Commander General Tandyo Budi Revita, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali and Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Tonny Harjono.