January 26, 2026 | 08:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (KSAD), Maruli Simanjuntak, said it is citizens' personal right to join foreign mercenaries. The statement came after the news of Kezia Syifa, an Indonesian citizen who reportedly became a member of the United States military, and several others who had previously become part of foreign military troops.
"I'm not ruffled, as many still hope to become soldiers in [Indonesia]," he said after a working meeting with the parliament at Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Maruli could understand the decision to become soldiers overseas, claiming that the recruitment process is more rigorous in Indonesia.
He also claimed soldier recruitment in Indonesia cannot be bought. "We check everything, from their health to their abilities," he said.
Maruli lamented how some people who join foreign militaries accuse TNI recruitment of requiring certain payment, a claim he vehemently denied.
Despite this, the three-star general did not deny that illegal levies are rampant during the soldier recruitment process. "These incidents occur everywhere," said Maruli.
More Indonesians Join Foreign Militaries
Another Indonesian citizen has taken center stage of conversation after reportedly joining the United States Armed Forces. Kezia, a Tangerang resident, was seen donning a green military uniform, bidding farewell in a video shared by her mother on Instagram at the @bunda_kesidaa account.
In addition to Kezia, on January 16, 2026, a member of the Mobile Brigade of the Aceh Regional Police, Second Brigadier Muhammad Rio, was declared a deserter after becoming a mercenary in Russia. Rio claimed to have received an initial joining bonus of 2 million rubles or around Rp420 million. Then, a monthly salary of 210,000 rubles or around Rp42 million.
Earlier, former marine Satria Arta Kumbara took a similar path. At that time, Arta Kumbara posted a video on TikTok and asked President Prabowo for help to return him to the homeland. The former Indonesian Navy marine asked the government to restore his citizenship that had been revoked since signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Read: Indonesia Not Obliged to Prevent Citizens Joining Russian Mercenaries
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