Risk of Major Teddy's Promotion

The promotion of Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya from Major to Lieutenant Colonel continues to draw criticism. The promotion of the 2011 Military Academy graduate is considered political, rather than based on a merit system.

The promotion of Major Teddy Indra Wijaya is stated in the Order Letter numbered Sprin/674/II/2025. It is mentioned that the order letter is required for the Accelerated Regular Promotion or KPRP from Major to Lieutenant Colonel.

The letter is based on the Regulation of the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Number 53 of 2017 concerning the Use of TNI Soldiers, and the Regulation of the Commander of the TNI Number 87 of 2022 regarding the Third Amendment to the Regulation of the Commander of the TNI Number 50 of 2015 concerning the Ranks of TNI Soldiers.

The next basis is the Decree of the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Number Kep/238/II/2025 dated February 25, 2025, regarding the Promotion of KPRP from Major to Lieutenant Colonel in the name of Major Infantry Teddy Indra Wijaya as the Secretary of the Cabinet of the Republic of Indonesia. The last two bases are the Regulation of the Chief of Staff of the Army Number 21 of 2019 concerning the Rank of Army Soldiers and the Decree of the Army Chief of Staff Number Kep/462/VIII/2021 dated August 4, 2021, regarding Technical Guidelines for Career Development of Army Officers.

"Army Leadership Considerations," reads the final basis as quoted in Sprin/674/II/2025.

In fact, referring to the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Regulation Number 40 of 2018 concerning the Second Amendment to the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Regulation No. 50/2015 on the Ranking of TNI Soldiers, there is no mention of the KPRP category as received by Teddy. The regulation only governs regular promotions, honorary promotions, and extraordinary promotions.

In the category of regular promotions, the promotion of a TNI officer is determined by the length of service in rank (MDDP), which has its own timeline for each rank level. For promotion from major to lieutenant colonel, the minimum MDDP required is 18 years for officers who graduated from the Staff and Command School (Sesko) of the Armed Forces or foreign education programs equivalent to Sesko of the Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the category of honorary promotions is usually granted to those approaching retirement. As for the category of extraordinary promotions, it is awarded to soldiers who carry out their duties with life and limb at stake.

Researcher from the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Muhamad Haripin, when contacted in Jakarta on Saturday (8/3/2025), expressed the view that the promotion granted to Teddy was an anomaly and clearly indicated a violation.

Thus, Sprin/674/II/2025 which is the basis for Teddy's promotion has violated the rules. "Both are damaging the TNI's meritocracy system and sabotaging efforts to build a professional military," Haripin said.

According to Haripin, the promotion adds to the long list of mistakes that have occurred previously, namely the appointment of Teddy as Cabinet Secretary (Seskab), regardless of the position of Seskab under the Minister of State Secretary. This also adds to the long list of problems related to the placement of active TNI officers in various ministries/institutions, such as the appointment of the President Director of Bulog who is also the Danjen of the TNI Academy.

That, Haripin continued, could have an impact on damaging personnel morale and growing soldiers' distrust of the command structure. They would assume that their leaders or commanders could act as they pleased. The biggest consequence is that soldiers' discipline could potentially erode until it completely disappears.

"So, the risk is very big for the cohesion of the armed forces organization and the country's defense system if similar mistakes are repeated continuously," he explained.

Criticism also came from the civil society group, Imparsial. Imparsial is of the view that Major Teddy's promotion to Lieutenant Colonel was very political and was not based on achievement or the principle of meritocracy.

Imparsial argued that Teddy had never been assigned or held a position like a soldier in the field in general since becoming an assistant aide to President Joko Widodo in 2014, which was then continued as an aide to Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto until now. Teddy was also considered to have no particular achievements.

Instead of having achievements, continued Imparsial, Teddy in the 2024 Election has actually openly violated the neutrality of the TNI. Teddy is considered to have been directly involved in practical politics by using the campaign attributes of the Prabowo-Gibran pair.

"Don't blame the public if they think that Major Teddy's promotion is not based on achievement or a merit system, but tends to be political," said Imparsial Director Ardi Manto Adiputra as quoted in a written statement.

According to Imparsial, from the start, the appointment of Major Teddy as Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) was a wrong and unjustifiable action. This is because the position is outside of the 10 positions that active TNI officers are allowed to occupy based on Article 47 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI.

Therefore, in accordance with the applicable principles and rules, Teddy should have been required to resign from active military service before accepting a civilian position in the government. However, instead of receiving sanctions, Teddy has now received a promotion.

"This action shows unfair treatment in the TNI's promotion system and threatens the professionalism and integrity of the country's defense institutions," said Ardi.

On the other hand, Imparsial is of the view that more soldiers show extraordinary achievements in carrying out their duties in the field, even to the point of risking their lives. They are considered more worthy of appreciation and promotion than someone who can only get a career and promotion because of their political access.

Imparsial also reminded that giving Teddy a promotion has the potential to hurt the feelings of soldiers in the field and demoralize those who have been working with full dedication. For that reason, Imparsial also asked the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto to cancel Teddy's promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel.

"Imparsial urges TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto to cancel the promotion of Major Teddy to Lieutenant Colonel because it damages the meritocratic system within the TNI," as quoted in Imparsial's written statement.

Regarding the criticism, Kompas has tried to ask the Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana. Until this article was published, Wahyu did not respond to the questions sent.

However, Wahyu previously gave a written statement stating that Teddy Indra Wijaya's promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel was in accordance with the provisions in force in the TNI and based on legislation (presidential regulations). "Administratively, everything has been fulfilled," he said.