The 6th Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has reminded that active TNI soldiers must resign if they want to enter practical politics or hold civilian government posts.  

SBY, who is also Chairman of the High Council of the Democratic Party, conveyed this message in a briefing to Democratic Party cadres at his residence in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

According to him, this principle is one of the main doctrines in the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) reform that was carried out in the late 1990s. 

"That was one of the doctrines that we issued in the past, during the ABRI reform. I was the head of the reform team. True, I was moved, inspired, if you are still an active general, for example, do not be involved in politics. If you want to be involved in politics, retire," he said.

SBY also cited the career journey of his son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), who chose to resign from the military to pursue a career in politics.

However, in recent times, the phenomenon of active military soldiers holding concurrent positions in governmentoffices has resurfaced. One example is Major Teddy Indra Wijaya, who now serves as Cabinet Secretary, following the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 148 /2024 on the Ministry of State Secretariat. Teddy’s position is under the Presidential Military Secretary and is equivalent to an echelon IIA official.

In addition, several other active high-ranking officers also hold strategic positions in President Prabowo Subianto's government. Major General Ariyo Windutomo is now serving as Head of the Presidential Secretariat. Most recently, Major General Novi Helmy Prasetya was appointed as President Director of State logistics agency Perum Bulog.

In other ministries and institutions, the presence of active soldiers in structural positions is also increasingly visible. Major General Maryono currently serves as Inspector General at the Ministry of Transportation, Major General Irham Waroihan as Inspector General atthe Ministry of Agriculture, and Commodore Ian Heriyawan serves at the Haj Organizing Agency.

SBY reiterated the importance of maintaining the neutrality of the TNI in politics, as has been attempted in the ABRI reform. With the increasing number of active soldiers holding civilian positions, concerns have arisen that this principle will be relaxed.