Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak has brushed aside the normative and legal questions on the appointment of Major General Novi Helmy Prasetya for the civilian post of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) chief, saying that the Army general was no longer an active member of the Indonesian Military (TNI) since being appointed as President Director of Bulog on February 7, 2025.
“He has relinquished his military status,” Maruli said at the House of Representatives (DPR)/People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
He said further that after being appointed as Bulog chief, Novi Helmy would no longer serve as a TNI member, in line with the provisions stipulated in Law No. 34/2004 on the TNI.
TNI Spokesman Major General Hariyanto cited the position of Bulog Chief is equivalent to a three-star general in the TNI structure system and that Novi Helmy was already appointed as Commander General of the Military Academy, a post for a three-star general.
“The position of Bulog President Director is for Echelon I, which is equivalent to a three-star general in the TNI structure. Major General TNI Novi Helmy Prasetya has been appointed as Commander General of the TNI Academy and holds the rank of Lieutenant General according to the existing regulation,” Hariyanto said in a media statement as quoted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
The TNI spokesman said further that the apppointment of Novi Helmy as Bulog chief had its legal basis, namely a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the TNI and the State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry. Such an MoU was made in order to support the procurement of national rice and grain in 2025. Under this MoU, the government will utilize TNI warehouses, spread across the country, to strengthen the national food security program.
Hariyanto cited that the appointment of Novi Helmy was upon the request made by the Ministry of SOEs.
“Pak Novi is considered to have extensive experience and networks down to the Babinsa (non-commissioned village supervisory military officers) level, which will be supportive for the strengthening of the national food security program,” he said.
