Politics

Richard Tampubolon Tipped as Deputy Defense Minister

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 15, 2026•4 min read

TNI Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Taruli H. Tampubolon arrived at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon (15/10/2026) amid reports that President Prabowo will inaugurate several new officials. He is rumored to be projected as Deputy Defense Minister, while XXI Military Regional Command chief Maj. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi is rumored to be sworn in as BNPB chief.

Key Facts

Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Taruli H. Tampubolon arrived at the State Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday (15/10/2026) at around 1:05 PM local time, wearing full ceremonial dress, after being summoned by palace officials.
Reports circulating among journalists say the three-star general is projected to be sworn in as Deputy Defense Minister, serving under the Defense Minister.
When asked for confirmation, Tampubolon neither confirmed nor denied the rumor. "I am a soldier, ready to be assigned anywhere," he told reporters, asking for prayers that he could do his best.
At the same time, XXI/Radin Inten Military Regional Command (Kodam) chief Maj. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi also arrived at the palace. He is widely rumored to be sworn in as head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), replacing Lt. Gen. Suharyanto.
Sianturi said he received a call from Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya on Thursday morning and did not yet know his assignment: "I was asked to appear before the President... As a soldier, I am ready to take orders."
As of publication, the State Palace had issued no official announcement. Other circulating reports say the inauguration may also cover the Deputy TNI Commander post and the separation of the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) minister portfolio currently held concurrently by Bahlil Lahadalia.

Two TNI Generals Arrive at the Palace

President Prabowo Subianto is reported to be reshuffling officials again on Thursday afternoon (15/10/2026). The strongest signal came from the State Palace complex in Jakarta, where two Indonesian Army generals arrived almost simultaneously at around 1:05 PM local time in full dress uniform.

TNI Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Taruli H. Tampubolon arrived in ceremonial dress. Investor.id, citing Antara, reported his presence coincided with widespread rumors of an inauguration agenda for several new officials within the Red and White Cabinet.

Shortly after, XXI/Radin Inten Military Regional Command chief Maj. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi was also seen entering the palace grounds. Their arrival immediately sparked speculation among journalists about the strategic assignments the President would entrust to them.

Richard Tampubolon Tipped as Deputy Defense Minister

Reports circulating widely among journalists say Lt. Gen. Tampubolon is projected to take the Deputy Defense Minister post. The Defense Ministry plays a crucial role in formulating national defense policy, modernizing military hardware, and regional defense diplomacy — and appointing an active-duty military figure is seen as a move to strengthen coordination between the ministry and TNI headquarters.

When pressed about the rumor, Tampubolon chose a diplomatic answer. "I am a soldier, ready to be assigned anywhere," the three-star general told reporters, as reported by Antara. He said his palace visit was to answer a sudden summons from an official, then asked for prayers: "Pray for the best. Ready to do the best."

Tampubolon is a former commander of the III Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan III) who now serves as TNI Chief of General Staff. He also serves as first deputy chair of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR), which is handling post-disaster recovery backed by a Rp100.1 trillion rehabilitation budget for 2026–2028.

Kristomei Sianturi to Replace Suharyanto at the BNPB?

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi is widely rumored to be sworn in as BNPB chief, replacing Lt. Gen. Suharyanto. The leadership change at the disaster management agency gained momentum after the KPK's sting operation against BNPB officials over alleged corruption in disaster emergency funds — an operation that ended with five suspects named.

When asked by reporters, Sianturi admitted he did not yet know what post he would hold. "I don't know. I was asked to appear before the President. The Cabinet Secretary informed me; I don't know what the assignment is," he said. He stressed, "As a soldier, I am always ready to take orders."

Beyond the two names, circulating reports also mention Deputy TNI Commander Maruli Simanjuntak and the appointment of Satyawan Pudyatmoko to head the National Peat and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN). However, as of publication, the palace had issued no official release on the posts or the inauguration schedule.