Indonesia’s military has appointed Lieutenant General Robi Herbawan, a former adjutant to President Prabowo Subianto, as the new head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS TNI) following a leadership reshuffle initiated by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto.
Robi previously served as head of the Defense Information Center at the Ministry of Defense before assuming his new role.
“Correct, Lt. Gen. Robi Herbawan has now been entrusted with the position of Head of BAIS TNI,” Defense Ministry Information Bureau Chief Brig. Gen. Rico Sirait said, as quoted by IDN Times on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
According to Rico, the appointment is part of a broader regeneration and organizational strengthening process aimed at improving the effectiveness of Indonesia’s strategic defense intelligence operations.
Following his promotion in rank, Robi officially replaced Lt. Gen. Yudi Abrimantyo as head of BAIS TNI.
Longstanding ties with President Prabowo
Robi is not a new figure within President Prabowo Subianto’s circle. He previously served as Prabowo’s adjutant when the president was commander of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) between December 1995 and March 1998.
A graduate of the Military Academy’s 1994 class, Robi has extensive experience in military intelligence. After completing the Army Command and Staff College (Seskoad), he held several assignments within BAIS TNI until 2019.
He also led a BAIS task force operation in Aceh from 2016 to 2018, further strengthening his background in intelligence and strategic operations.
Extensive background in special operations and intelligence
Before taking over as head of BAIS TNI, Robi Herbawan built a long career in Indonesia’s special forces and military intelligence community.
The 1994 Military Academy graduate spent around 12 years serving in Satgultor-81 Kopassus, the Army’s elite counterterrorism unit, before moving into a series of intelligence assignments within the military.
Robi later held several strategic posts within the Defense Ministry ahead of his appointment as BAIS chief.
His elevation to the position was accompanied by a promotion to the rank of three-star lieutenant general.
Other key positions also reshuffled
The military reshuffle also affected the deputy chief position at BAIS TNI, which is now held by Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, the former Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen TNI), the military’s official public communications and media affairs office.
Following Aulia Dwi Nasrullah’s transfer to BAIS TNI, Brig. Gen. Muhammad Nas has been appointed to replace him as Head of the TNI Information Center.
When contacted for confirmation, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah had not yet responded.
Both Aulia Dwi Nasrullah and Muhammad Nas are graduates of the Military Academy’s 1998 class.
Muhammad Nas currently serves as Intelligence Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad). Upon his inauguration, he is expected to receive a promotion to the rank of major general, as the Head of the TNI Information Center position is designated for a two-star general.
Image source: Ministry of Defense documentation showing Brig. Gen. Robi Herbawan during his tenure as head of the Defense Information Center (Kemenhan).