TNI Holds Leadership Transition Ceremony for Top Military Positions

Indonesia's Armed Forces (TNI) held a command transition ceremony on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Aula Gatot Soebroto in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. The ceremony was led by Lieutenant General Richard Tampubolon, the TNI Chief of Staff, representing Commander-in-Chief General Agus Subiyanto. Two senior military positions changed hands during the event: Marsekal Madya (Air Vice Marshal) Arif Widianto handed over his role as Commander of the Armed Forces Staff and Command School (Dansesko) to Marsekal Madya M. Khairil Lubis. Simultaneously, Khairil Lubis relinquished the position of Commander of the Combined Regional Defense Command II (Pangkogabwilhan II) to Marsekal Muda (Air Commodore) Muzafar.

In his address read by Tampubolon, the TNI Commander emphasized that the leadership transitions represent a critical phase in organizational cadre development and personnel management. He highlighted that leadership regeneration is essential for ensuring continuity of service to the nation and maintaining the TNI's capacity to respond to evolving strategic circumstances. The Commander underscored that both operational readiness and quality leadership are vital factors in safeguarding Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the dynamic global strategic environment.

The two positions being transferred are strategically significant within the TNI structure. Dansesko serves as the highest military educational institution, while Pangkogabwilhan II is the unified regional defense command overseeing Indonesia's central and eastern defense regions. The TNI leadership emphasized that this transition reflects the organization's commitment to strengthening professionalism, maintaining leadership continuity, and enhancing organizational quality to ensure adaptability, modernization, and readiness for future defense missions.