In a landmark ceremony held at the Suparlan Airstrip within the Kopassus Training Complex in Batujajar, West Java, President Prabowo Subianto unveiled six new regional military commands (Kodam), alongside an array of strategic military expansions across branches of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). This sweeping reorganization marks a decisive step in strengthening national defense, accelerating territorial development, and reinforcing civil-military collaboration.
A Grand Military Ceremony to Signal Change
On 10 August 2025, President Prabowo, accompanied by the Commander of the Armed Forces and senior chiefs of staff, presided over a dual ceremony: the operational deployment parade and a formal military honors rite. As he rode along rows of disciplined troops from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the president pinned badges and passed command staffs to newly appointed leaders of TNI’s strategic units—among them the new Commander of Special Forces Command (Kopassus), Commander of Marine Corp, and Commander of Rapid Response Force Command (Kopasgat)—emphasizing the ceremony’s symbolic weight in reshaping Indonesia’s defense posture.
The president also awarded honorary general ranks and the prestigious Bintang Sakti to service members for their exceptional bravery and sacrifice—undergirding the government’s esteem for soldiers and reinforcing a commitment to recognizing dedication within the armed forces.
Six New Kodams: A Closer, More Responsive Defense Architecture
A cornerstone of the overhaul was the elevation of five military resort commands (Korem) into full Kodam status, plus one entirely new formation—making six in total. The new Kodams:
1. Kodam XIX/Tuanku Tambusai—covering Riau and the Riau Islands, led by Major General TNI Agus Hadi Waluyo
2. Kodam XX/Tuanku Imam Bonjol—serving West Sumatra and Jambi, led by Maj. Gen. TNI Arief Gadja Mada
3. Kodam XXI/Radin Inten—responsible for Lampung and Bengkulu, led by Major General TNI Kristomei Sianturi
4. Kodam XXII/Tambun Bungai—covering Central and South Kalimantan, led by Major General TNI Zainul Arifin
5. Kodam XXIII/Palaka Wira – covering Central and West Sulawesi, led by Major General 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.
Responding, TNI officials—including TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto—pledge that operations will remain under the law, be transparent, and carry strong oversight. In his words, “We are here to serve, not to dominate,” signaling a promise of a modern military presence paired with respect for human rights.
Broader Strategic Implications Across Indonesia
This military expansion has ripple effects across Indonesia’s broader defense architecture. The new Kodams are expected to function as regional hubs, integrating land, sea, and air capabilities in volatile or remote areas—strengthening defense in places like Maluku, Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi.
The deployments are part of a broader strategic recalibration led by President Prabowo, who was the former defense minister from 2019 to 2024 and described the reorganization as “an evolution of the Indonesian defense system to match 21st-century challenges,” including cyber threats, transnational crime, and ideological warfare.
Scaling Up: Personnel, Infrastructure, and Readiness
To enable the new Kodams to function effectively, the Army plans to recruit approximately 24,000 new tamtama soldiers, as shared recently by DPR Commission I Chairman Utut Adianto. This surge in personnel underscores the seriousness of the government’s commitment to structural reinforcement. The plan is in line with the Special Autonomy policy in Papua to increase the role of Indigenous Papuans (OAP) in the Indonesian military through affirmative recruitment.
Conclusion
The inauguration of six Kodams—most notably Kodam XXIV/Mandala Trikora in South Papua—is a bold step in Indonesia’s reimagined defense strategy. It blends symbolic historic recognition, regional security logistics, civil-military cooperation, and developmental imperatives under one framework.
The Kodam Mandala Trikora will be judged not just by its military effectiveness but by its ability to foster trust, spur local development, and balance security with dignity. If successful, it may serve as a model for how Indonesia mobilizes national defense as a lever for inclusive growth and unity across a vast, diverse archipelago.