Jakarta, IDM – TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto gave extraordinary promotion awards (KPLB) to two 2025 SEA Games champions, namely Muhammad Alfi Kusuma (taekwondo) and Rizki Juniansyah (weightlifting).
The award was given directly by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (8/1).
Alfi Kusuma received KPLB from the rank of Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant. Meanwhile, lifter Rizki Juniansyah received a promotion in two ranks at once, from Second Lieutenant to Captain.
This is the first time this has happened to the KPLB with a promotion of two ranks in the TNI. Normatively, there is nothing violated in this award.
“Even though previously the KPLB was often given only one level increase,” said military and defense observer from the Center for Intermestic and Diplomatic Engagement (CIDE) Anton Aliabbas to Indonesia Defense Magazine (IDM), Saturday (10/1).
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The provision of KPLB is contained in Government Regulation (PP) Number 35 of 2025 concerning the administration of TNI soldiers. Article 27 states that special promotions can be in the form of KPLB for military operations during war, KPLB for military operations other than war, KPLB for military operations after posthumous war, and KPLB for military operations other than posthumous war.
In the explanation section, it is stated that KPLB for military operations other than war (OMSP) is given to soldiers who carry out special tasks directly at the risk of their body and soul and provide services beyond the call of duty.
“Thus, giving awards to soldier athletes can be categorized under this provision,” said Anton.
The same thing was also expressed by the co-founder of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) Khairul Fahmi who said that the promotion by two ranks did not violate the rules.
The main basis is in Article 48 paragraph (3) of Government Regulation Number 35 of 2025, which states, “soldiers who have contributed greatly to the interests of the TNI organization and/or the state can be awarded regular accelerated promotions, special promotions, and/or other awards.”
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“What is important to understand is that the provisions in this PP do not limit the meaning of service only to the context of combat or military operations, but also include non-combat achievements, such as international sports that make the nation proud. Apart from that, the article does not explicitly limit the number of promotion levels for the non-combat service/achievement category,” said Fahmi.
However, according to Anton, to avoid jealousy and inconsistencies in the governance of soldier career development, the implementation of KPLB for military operations other than war needs to be provided with further guidance.
“This is important considering that the TNI Commander also emphasized that KPLB is also a form of implementation reward and punishment,said Anton.
Moreover, President Prabowo Subianto also pays great attention to appreciation for outstanding athletes.
“Therefore, KPLB policies regarding athletes should be applied equally to all sports, both individual and team,” said Anton.
Apart from that, the scope of athlete achievements also requires clarity. Considering that the daily life of soldier athletes is training, achievement can actually be attached as an inseparable part of the soldier athlete performance index unit.
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According to Anton, there are several reasons why it is important to make arrangements regarding the achievements of soldier athletes.
First, to avoid policies based on the leadership’s tastes, temporary and discontinuous. Second, standardizing the measurement of achievements of soldier athletes will strengthen the implementation of the merit system within the TNI.
“By making achievement part of the performance index, all targets, whether achieved or not, can be accounted for (reward and punishment),” said Anton.
Third, this step can also be a clear guide for soldier athletes, considering that the diversity of characteristics of sports requires standardization, such as team or individual records and achieving or maintaining achievements.
Fourth, it is also hoped that this can be balanced with the performance index of soldiers in general (non-athletes), so that the risk of jealousy between soldiers in career development can be reduced. (nma)
