Defense Ministry Affirms Constitutional Basis for TNI Mission to Gaza

February 28, 2026 | 10:34 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait stated that he respects every opinion regarding the plan to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza, in response to the rejection from the Forum of Retired Military Personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) regarding the plan.

"We respect every point of view that develops in society," he said in a statement on Friday, February 27, 2026.

According to him, several retired TNI soldiers have now become part of civilian society. He ensured that the steps taken by the government to support global peace efforts have been carefully considered.

Rico stated that the planned deployment of TNI soldiers to Gaza is also being carried out within the constitutional corridor. Moreover, he said that the mandate of the opening of the 1945 Constitution's fourth paragraph mandates the country's participation in the world order based on freedom, eternal peace, and social justice.

"Indonesia's involvement in the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force scheme is placed within the framework of international mandates, including reference to UN Security Council Resolution Number 2803," said the one-star general.

Previously, the Forum of Retired Military Personnel of the TNI (FPP) requested President Prabowo Subianto to cancel the plan to send 8,000 troops to Gaza. They deemed Indonesia's participation in the international stabilization force, which was initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, to be unconstitutional.

General (Ret.) Fachrul Razi explained that Indonesia can only participate in international peacekeeping forces under the United Nations' mandate, not that of any other organization.

"Furthermore, a large-scale deployment of troops like this must also be coordinated, consulted, and approved by the House of Representatives (DPR). FPP considered the lack of a thorough planning process with the DPR, and the decision was solely made by the President, indicating that the TNI's involvement in the ISF is not a national agenda, but rather an agenda of Prabowo as an individual," Fachrul said.

"According to the constitution, strategic decisions must obtain approval from the DPR and all relevant parties," Fachrul continued.

Former Minister of Religion continued, Prabowo's claim that Indonesia will not be involved in armed operations, coupled with Indonesia's strategic role as Deputy Commander of the ISF, is not sufficient to guarantee that the ISF operation will not oppress Palestine as promised by America.

In the military, Fachrul said, the positions of deputy commander and chief commander are packaged together. When the commander represented by America decides to carry out disarmament operations, the deputy commander from Indonesia can't refuse.

"The commander and deputy commander are a unified entity in the organization. It is impossible for the commander's decision to differ from the deputy commander's," he said.

Dede Leni contributed to this article

Read: Indonesian Retired Soldiers Urge Prabowo to Cancel Gaza Deployment Plan

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