Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has proposed an increase in operational allowances for Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers by 75 percent. 

This proposal was submitted in a hearing with Defense Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as part of an effort to improve the welfare of soldiers serving in strategic operational areas, including borders and outermost islands.

“TNI soldiers receive a monthly salary, but that is left for their families. In order to serve, the state provides operational allowances. Therefore, the Ministry of Defense is trying to increase this allowance by 75 percent, or if necessary 100 percent,” Sjafrie said before the commission members.

According to him, this operational allowance is the main motivation for soldiers who are deployed to the field. In addition to supporting needs while on duty, the allowance also contributes to improving the morale and spirit of soldiers. “With good allowances, morale will increase. Monthly salaries can remain intact for families,” he said.

Sjafrie also highlighted the stagnation of special operations allowances in Papua which have not increased since 2002, even though the cost of living and the dollar exchange rate have soared. "Operation allowances in Papua need to increase, at least 60 to 65 percent," he cited.

Fuel arrears

In addition to the allowance issue, the Minister of Defense also touched on the issue of arrears in fuel consumption by the Indonesian Navy to State-owned energy company PT Pertamina, which reached Rp5.45 trillion (US$334 million). To overcome this debt issue, the Ministry of Defense will centralize the management of fuel needs within the TNI.

"A digital system will be implemented to monitor the use of fuel by the TNI, in order to ensure accountability and transparency," Sjafrie said.

According to him, this centralization policy is part of the defense logistics governance reform which has covered strategic defense equipment and is now being expanded to include fuel procurement and consumption.

He also opened up opportunities to coordinate with Pertamina regarding options for resolving arrears.

Indonesian Navy Chief of staff Admiral Muhammad Ali earlier revealed that the fuel arrears of Rp2.25 trillion (US$142 million) had not been resolved, and now an additional debt of Rp3.2 trillion (US$202 million) had emerged.

He asked the government to consider amnesty for the debt because it was considered to be very disruptive to the operations of the Indonesian Navy.

"Actually, this can be eliminated for the fuel problem, the debt be written off,” Ali told the Maritime Security Working Committee of the House’s Commission I on Monday, April 28, 2025.