TNI Says No Militarization in Dedi Mulyadi's Military Barracks Program for Children

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Head of the Information Center of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Major General Kristomei Sianturi, voiced full support for West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s program to send troubled children to military barracks for character training.

Kristomei said the initiative aligns with the TNI’s role in supporting regional governments under Law No. 3 of 2025, particularly Article 7, paragraph II on Military Operations Other Than War.

“We appreciate it. It's not about militarization, there's no militarization there,” said Kristomei when met by Tempo at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Java, on Monday, May 26, 2025. “What exists is only how we provide training programs to enhance discipline.”

He emphasized that the TNI merely facilitates the local government's efforts, and that the program deserves recognition as part of a governor's responsibility to seek solutions to regional issues. Kristomei added that the TNI has appropriate infrastructure, such as the National Defense Education Command (Dodik) at the Regional Military Main Command (Rindam), to support discipline-focused education.

While supportive, Kristomei also noted that the program’s effectiveness must be evaluated over time. “Is approximately 14 days sufficient? Does it also require a lot of guidance there? For example, counseling. Because we have also included a psychology team, it must be more routine,” he said.

Governor Dedi launched the program after taking office earlier this year, as part of a broader policy of discipline-based social intervention. However, it has faced criticism from child rights and education advocacy groups concerned it may conflict with principles of child welfare.

No independent evaluation reports have yet been released to assess the psychological or educational impact. Dedi told Tempo that early evaluations suggest positive outcomes and indicated a potential expansion of the program. He also revealed that high-achieving students may be included in the next phase.

“If judged from the evaluation results, the first batch is already good in my opinion,” Dedi said on Friday, May 23, 2025. He confirmed the evaluation is being reviewed by psychologists, academics, and trainers involved in the program.

On May 20, 2025, 273 students graduated from the first batch of the military-style education program, coinciding with the 117th National Awakening Day. The training took place at the Gate of the Panca Waluya in Dodik Bela Negara Rindam III Siliwangi.

Regions such as Purwakarta, Cianjur, and Bandung have adopted the program, and Depok is scheduled to follow on June 1, 2025.

Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor’s Choice: KPAI: Some Children Sick with Exhaustion in West Java's Military Barracks

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