Katika hafla ya kihistoria iliyofanyika katika Uwanja wa Ndege wa Suparlan ndani ya Kiwanja cha Mafunzo cha Kopassus huko Batujajar, Java Magharibi, Rais Prabowo Subianto alizindua kamandi sita mpya za kijeshi za kanda (Kodam), pamoja na safu ya upanuzi wa kimkakati wa kijeshi katika matawi ya Vikosi vya Wanajeshi vya Indonesia (TNI). Upangaji upya huu mkubwa unaashiria hatua madhubuti katika kuimarisha ulinzi wa taifa, kuharakisha maendeleo ya eneo, na kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kijeshi na raia.
Sherehe Kuu ya Kijeshi ya Kuashiria Mabadiliko
Mnamo tarehe 10 Agosti 2025, Rais Prabowo, akiandamana na Kamanda wa Majeshi na wakuu wakuu wa wafanyikazi, aliongoza hafla ya pande mbili: gwaride la kupeleka kazi na ibada rasmi ya heshima ya kijeshi. Alipokuwa akipanda safu za askari wenye nidhamu kutoka Jeshi, Jeshi la Wanamaji, na Jeshi la Wanahewa, rais alibandika beji na kupitisha wafanyakazi wa amri kwa viongozi wapya walioteuliwa wa vitengo vya kimkakati vya TNI—miongoni mwao Kamanda mpya wa Kamandi ya Kikosi Maalum (Kopassus), Kamanda wa Kikosi cha Wanamaji, na Kamanda wa Kamandi ya Kikosi cha Kuitikia Haraka (Kopasgat) akisisitiza tena uzani wa ulinzi wa Indonesia.
Rais pia alitoa vyeo vya heshima vya jenerali na Bintang Sakti mashuhuri kwa wanachama wa huduma kwa ushujaa wao wa kipekee na kujitolea—kuweka heshima ya serikali kwa wanajeshi na kuimarisha dhamira ya kutambua kujitolea ndani ya jeshi.
Kodam Sita Mpya: Usanifu wa Ulinzi wa Karibu zaidi, Msikivu zaidi
Jiwe la msingi la urekebishaji huo lilikuwa kuinua kwa amri tano za mapumziko za kijeshi (Korem) hadi hadhi kamili ya Kodam, pamoja na muundo mpya kabisa – kufanya sita kwa jumla. Kodams mpya:
1. Kodam XIX/Tuanku Tambusai—inayoshughulikia Riau na Visiwa vya Riau, ikiongozwa na Meja Jenerali TNI Agus Hadi Waluyo.
2. Kodam XX/Tuanku Imam Bonjol—anahudumu Sumatra Magharibi na Jambi, akiongozwa na Meja Jenerali TNI Arief Gadja Mada
3. Kodam XXI/Radin Inten—anayehusika na Lampung na Bengkulu, akiongozwa na Meja Jenerali TNI Kristomei Sianturi
4. Kodam XXII/Tambun Bungai—inayojumuisha Kalimantan ya Kati na Kusini, ikiongozwa na Meja Jenerali TNI Zainul Arifin
5. Kodam XXIII/Palaka Wira – inayojumuisha Sulawesi ya Kati na Magharibi, ikiongozwa na Meja Jenerali TNI Jonathan Binsar Parluhutan Sianipar
6. Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora—newly formed, based in Merauke, South Papua, led by Major General TNI Lucky Avianto
This massive expansion aligns with the “one province, one Kodam” doctrine introduced by Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, aiming to improve regional command responsiveness and support initiatives such as food security and border-area development.
Mandala Trikora in Merauke: A Strategic Apex in South Papua
Of particular significance is Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora, stationed in Merauke, South Papua. This marks the third Kodam in Papua, joining Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih and Kodam XVIII/Kasuari, filling a critical gap in military-territorial structure.
The new Kodam is currently headquartered at Korem 174/Anim Ti Waninggap (ATW) in Tanah Miring, Merauke. Plans are underway to temporarily relocate Korem 174/ATW to the Wisma Atlet near Stadion Katalpal to accommodate the transition.
According to Pangdam XVII/Cenderawasih, Major General Rudi Puruwito, Kodam Mandala Trikora offers a strategic advantage by embedding direct oversight over South Papua’s security and development landscape—where every hour matters in fast-moving and remote zones.
Mandala Trikora: History Revived, Purpose Renewed
The Kodam’s naming evokes deep roots in Indonesian military and nationalistic history. Previously known during the famed Operation Trikora in the 1960s, “Mandala Trikora” strategically evokes continuity with national unification efforts.
The establishment of this Kodam thus symbolizes not just a structural upgrade but a historical reconnection. Reconstituted in a newly created province—South Papua, born out of Indonesia’s 2022 decentralization reform—the Kodam’s presence in Merauke reinforces the government’s promise to enhance public service delivery, infrastructure, and border governance.
Beyond Defense: Civil-Military Partnership in Papua
Military representatives highlight that this initiative extends beyond defense, embedding the Kodam in civic life. Units under Mandala Trikora are expected to contribute to healthcare, education, disaster response, infrastructure, and local economic programs, encapsulating the TNI’s longstanding “Sistem Pertahanan Semesta” civil–military cooperative approach.
In regions like Boven Digoel, Asmat, and Mappi—remote and underserved—such involvement becomes critical. The Kodam could play a central role in logistics and outreach, especially in executing food estate programs, building roads, or delivering mobile clinics.
Challenges of Militarization and Calls for Accountability
Yet, as the military intensifies its role in Papua, some local civil society and rights groups raise concerns about the potential for militarization and the marginalization of indigenous voices. They urge that increased defense presence not be allowed to erode civil liberties.
Wakijibu, maofisa wa TNI—ikiwa ni pamoja na Kamanda Mkuu wa TNI Agus Subiyanto—wanaahidi kwamba shughuli zitasalia chini ya sheria, kuwa wazi, na kusimamia kwa nguvu. Kwa maneno yake, “Tuko hapa kutumikia, sio kutawala,” akiashiria ahadi ya uwepo wa kijeshi wa kisasa unaoambatana na kuheshimu haki za binadamu.
Athari Pana za Kimkakati kote Indonesia
Upanuzi huu wa kijeshi una athari mbaya katika usanifu mpana wa ulinzi wa Indonesia. Kodams mpya zinatarajiwa kufanya kazi kama vituo vya kikanda, kuunganisha uwezo wa ardhi, bahari, na hewa katika maeneo tete au ya mbali-kuimarisha ulinzi katika maeneo kama Maluku, Sulawesi, na Sulawesi Kaskazini.
Utumaji ni sehemu ya urekebishaji mpana wa kimkakati ulioongozwa na Rais Prabowo, ambaye alikuwa waziri wa zamani wa ulinzi kutoka 2019 hadi 2024 na alielezea upangaji upya kama “mageuzi ya mfumo wa ulinzi wa Indonesia kuendana na changamoto za karne ya 21,” pamoja na vitisho vya mtandao, uhalifu wa kimataifa, na vita vya kiitikadi.
Kuongeza: Wafanyakazi, Miundombinu, na Utayari
Ili kuwezesha Kodams mpya kufanya kazi kwa ufanisi, Jeshi linapanga kuajiri takriban wanajeshi wapya 24,000 wa tamtama, kama ilivyoshirikiwa hivi majuzi na Mwenyekiti wa Tume ya Kwanza ya DPR, Utut Adianto. Ongezeko hili la wafanyikazi linasisitiza uzito wa dhamira ya serikali ya uimarishaji wa miundo. Mpango huo unaambatana na sera Maalum ya Kujiendesha nchini Papua ili kuongeza jukumu la Wapapua Wenyeji (OAP) katika jeshi la Indonesia kupitia uandikishaji wa uthibitisho.
Hitimisho
Kuzinduliwa kwa Kodam sita—hasa Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora huko Papua Kusini—ni hatua ya ujasiri katika mkakati wa ulinzi uliowaziwa upya wa Indonesia. Inachanganya utambuzi wa kihistoria, vifaa vya usalama vya kikanda, ushirikiano wa kijeshi na raia, na sharti za maendeleo chini ya mfumo mmoja.
Kodam Mandala Trikora itahukumiwa sio tu kwa ufanisi wake wa kijeshi lakini kwa uwezo wake wa kukuza uaminifu, kuchochea maendeleo ya ndani, na kusawazisha usalama na heshima. Ikifaulu, inaweza kutumika kama kielelezo cha jinsi Indonesia inavyohamasisha ulinzi wa taifa kama kielelezo cha ukuaji jumuishi na umoja katika visiwa vingi tofauti.