August 25, 2025 | 06:27 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto conferred the Bintang Mahaputera Utama medal on Presidential Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Teddy Indra Wijaya, in a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Presidential Military Secretary Major General of National Armed Forces (TNI) Kosasih said the honor was granted in line with legal provisions for outstanding service.
“He has rendered exceptional contributions in governance and public service, known for his discipline, loyalty, and dedication to the nation. He has also ensured swift cross-ministerial coordination for more effective public services,” the Palace protocol officer said as Prabowo pinned the medal, according to the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube broadcast.
Teddy was one of 35 recipients, both living and deceased. Among others awarded were businessman Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, or Haji Isam, as well as members of Prabowo’s Red and White Cabinet, including Foreign Minister Sugiono, Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, and Prabowo’s brother Hashim Djojohadikusumo.
Teddy’s career has been closely tied to Prabowo. Before becoming presidential secretary, he served as Prabowo’s aide during his tenure as defense minister.
He previously held posts as Deputy Commander of the Para Raider Infantry Battalion 328/Dirgahayu and began his career in 2011 after graduating from the Military Academy in Magelang. A member of the Kopassus infantry corps, Teddy was later appointed aide to President Joko Widodo from 2014 to 2019.
He also trained at the U.S. Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, where he graduated as an International Honor Graduate among 185 cadets. This placed him in the ranks of Indonesian officers who have completed the program, alongside names such as former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Returning to Indonesia, Teddy became Prabowo’s aide in 2020 and continued in that role throughout the 2024 presidential campaign.
Controversy Over Appointment
His appointment as presidential secretary drew scrutiny because he was still an active TNI officer. Traditionally, the post falls under the Ministry of State Secretariat and is considered a civilian position not open to active military personnel.
The issue was addressed when Prabowo revised the organizational structure, placing the presidential secretary under the Presidential Military Secretariat (Setmilpres).
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan confirmed the change in March 2025, saying, “Previously the post was parallel to the State Secretariat, but under the new structure it falls within Setmilpres.”
Teddy’s rapid promotion from major to lieutenant colonel also fueled debate. Documents from TNI Headquarters, seen by Tempo, showed that Commander General Agus Subiyanto authorized an accelerated promotion (KPRP) effective February 25, 2025, through Decision Number Kep/238/II/2025.
Imparsial, a human rights NGO, criticized the move. “This promotion is highly political and not based on merit,” said Director Ardi Manto Adiputra, arguing that Teddy has not held field commands or achieved notable military performance since serving as aide to Presidents Jokowi and Prabowo.
Military analyst Connie Rahakundini Bakrie echoed the criticism, questioning whether established norms had been bypassed.
“It seems rules are not being followed. Was there a new regulation that allows such promotions for the presidential secretary?” she said when contacted by Tempo.
Despite the controversy, Teddy now holds both the prestigious Bintang Mahaputera Utama and the role of presidential secretary, making him one of the most prominent figures in Prabowo’s inner circle.
Ananda Bintang, Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Antara, Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, and M. Rizki Yusrial contribited to the writing of this article.
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