Speaking after attending the Nuzulul Quran commemoration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday night, Subiyanto said the alert applies mainly to units within the Rapid Reaction Force for Natural Disaster Response.
Each regional military command (Kodam) maintains at least one battalion prepared for rapid deployment, especially in areas vulnerable to natural disasters or those currently facing emergency conditions.
“I have imposed Alert 1 status on units within the rapid disaster response force. Each regional command has one battalion on standby, especially when their areas face potential natural disasters,” he said.
Subiyanto stressed that the measure was not unusual. It forms part of standard military procedures designed to ensure troops and equipment remain prepared for emergency deployment.
“We are testing the readiness of personnel and equipment. This is a routine activity,” he said while explaining the purpose of the alert status.
When asked whether the measure was linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, Subiyanto declined to elaborate. He reiterated that the alert level was a normal readiness exercise.
“This is a routine Alert 1 readiness,” he said briefly in response to questions on possible geopolitical concerns.
Subiyanto emphasized the alert status was intended solely to ensure military units remain ready to respond quickly to potential situations within Indonesia.
He also addressed reports of tactical vehicle convoys seen earlier near Jakarta’s National Monument, noting that the activity was part of a mobility and response-time simulation.
The exercise measured how quickly troops stationed around the capital could mobilize and reach designated points if an emergency situation emerged in Jakarta.
“For example, we calculate how many minutes units from surrounding areas need to reach certain locations in Jakarta so they can be deployed quickly if something happens,” Subiyanto said.
Supporting police security efforts
Subiyanto added that troop readiness was also aimed at supporting police in maintaining security ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday period and the annual surge in homebound travel.
He said the alert status had no fixed duration and would be lifted once inspections of personnel readiness and equipment conditions were completed.
In a separate statement, the military said a troop readiness roll call held Tuesday at the National Monument complex in Central Jakarta aimed to assess personnel and defense equipment preparedness.
The exercise, led by Subiyanto, involved units from the army, navy, and air force, displaying tactical vehicles and operational equipment.
During the event, the commander and service chiefs conducted direct inspections of troops and military hardware deployed for the readiness exercise.
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Translator: Andi F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
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