TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The co-founder of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS), Khairul Fahmi, stated that the declaration of Alert Status I within the Indonesian Military (TNI) command chain is an instruction from the commander intended for and applicable only to the internal military institution. The status, which demands preparedness for the potential emergence of threats, does not apply to civilians.
"Alert statuses, whether Alert 3, Alert 2, or Alert 1, are fundamentally purely internal commands within the TNI," Khairul said on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
He explained that Alert Status 1 is distinct from national emergency statuses, such as civil emergency, military emergency, or war emergency. National emergency conditions are public legal statuses that restrict the civil rights of citizens, are tightly regulated in the constitution through Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) Number 23 of 1959, and must be decided politically and announced directly by the president.
On the other hand, Alert Status 1 within the TNI does not apply to civilians at all. "The wheels of life, economic activities, and the rights of civilian society continue as normal without curfews or any restrictions," Khairul said.
In practical terms, Khairul noted that the Alert Status 1 instruction from the commander means that soldiers must implement the highest level of vigilance. All leave rights are suspended, personnel are required to be on full alert in their respective units, and the preparation of primary weapon systems (alutsista) is at maximum operational readiness.
According to Khairul, considering the context of the declaration of Alert Status I by TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto regarding the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, this force preparation is geared more toward military operations other than war, such as preparing for the potential evacuation of Indonesian citizens from conflict zones. He argued that the commander's decision is appropriate and in accordance with procedures.
"From a military perspective, the dynamics of escalation in the Middle East currently demand the TNI, as the country's defense apparatus, to activate an early warning system and prepare contingency plans," he said.
On Saturday, March 7, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto declared Alert Status 1 for all defense units in Indonesia. The highest alert status was issued amid the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and confirmed by the Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais), Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo.
"The Alert Status I issued by the TNI Commander is addressed to all TNI units, including the TNI Bais," Yudi told Tempo on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Yudi explained that Alert Status 1 aims to anticipate the domestic security situation amidst the escalating conflict in the Middle East following the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States and Israel.
In a document of the commander's instructions obtained by Tempo, one of the orders issued requests the Jaya/Jayakarta Regional Military Command to conduct security patrols at strategic vital locations and foreign embassies in Jakarta.
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