A plan by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsuddin to deploy Indonesian Military (TNI) and Defense Intelligence Agency (BAIS) officers to secure all oil refineries nationwide has won the support of a lawmaker, an analyst and the oil business circle.

A member of Energy Commission XII of the House of Representatives, Ratna Juwita Sari, calls the move a “strategic necessity” to protect vital national assets and restore public confidence in state-owned energy giant Pertamina.

Ratna, a National Awakening Party (PKB) lawmaker, said the initiative could help curb potential abuses, irregularities, or monopolistic practices surrounding Indonesia’s energy infrastructure.

“This measure is important and could serve as a concrete solution to restore public trust in Pertamina, while preventing any potential losses to the state,” she said in Jakarta on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

She, however, emphasized that the plan must be implemented with strict guarantees of professionalism and accountability from all military and intelligence personnel involved.

“The [defense] minister must ensure full integrity and professionalism so that this enhanced security effort does not create new problems,” Ratna said.

She asked the Defense Ministry, intelligence agencies, Pertamina, and other relevant institutions to establish clear coordination mechanisms. She also insisted that the House must maintain strong oversight of the deployment.

She further called on the government to promptly explain the technical framework of the assignment, including security protocols, division of responsibilities between military personnel and civilian operators, and operational standards that ensure safety and continuity of energy supplies.

“This policy must be able to safeguard national fuel supply stability, provide a sense of security for the public and investors, and strengthen long-term energy resilience,” she said.

Meanwhile, Executive director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), Dedi Kurnia Syah, said the decision reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s seriousness in dismantling long-standing illicit networks in the oil and gas sector.

“The deployment shows the president’s strong confidence in the TNI, which also enjoys very high public trust. TNI is considered capable of performing special assignments like this, especially at a time when the domestic oil and gas sector requires serious attention,” Dedi told Indonesia Business Post on Thursday.

He added that the so-called “oil and gas mafia” has operated across multiple administrations and has long attempted to influence national energy policies.

“The mafia’s influence has been strong not only under Jokowi [7th president] and Prabowo but also during the SBY [6thpresident] era. Prabowo’s willingness to confront them including by involving the military can be seen as a very serious and potentially effective step,” he said.

State’s commitment

Pertamina, meanwhile, said the deployment of TNI personnel reflects the state’s commitment to protecting strategic assets.

Pertamina’s Vice President for Corporate Communication,Muhammad Baron, said the company welcomed the Defense ministry’s announcement, adding that cooperation with the military would reinforce existing internal security layers.

“This synergy will strengthen the protection of strategic assets owned by Pertamina,” Baron said during a media conference briefing on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

He added that enhanced security measures would support the company’s operational readiness ahead of the high-demand Christmas and New Year period for 2025/2026.

The Defense Minister said earlier that the deployment falls under the military’s non-combat operations (OMSP), while citing that protection for Pertamina’s refineries and terminals is integral to protecting strategic industries linked to national sovereignty.

“Guarding strategic industries related to state sovereignty, such as Pertamina’s refineries and terminals, is part of our force deployment,” Sjafrie said after a closed-door meeting with the House on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The initiative comes as the government intensifies efforts to prevent disruptions in the energy supply chain and enhance protection of national vital objects.