JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, alongside Deputy Minister Ahmad Riza Patria, received an official audience from the Commander of the Army Special Forces Command (Kopassus), Lt. Gen. TNI Djon Afriandi, at his office on Thursday (September 10, 2026).

Minister Yandri explained that the visit serves as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Kemendes PDT under the TNI Manunggal Masuk Desa (TNI Integrated Village Development) framework. In October 2026, joint developmental programs will be implemented across several villages in Bengkulu Province.

"The scope of infrastructure and welfare development includes road construction, healthcare facilities, education access, public sanitation (MCK), home renovations, and local economic activities," Minister Yandri stated.

In addition, Kemendes PDT brings its flagship initiatives to the partnership, including the Green Economy Self-Sufficiency and Integrated Food Security (SEHATI) Program, Thematic Villages, Export Villages, and Tourism Villages.

Minister Yandri noted that Bengkulu was designated as the target region for this joint initiative because its poverty rate remains above the national average. This strategic collaboration is expected to accelerate rural economic growth across Bengkulu.

To ensure program success, the partnership will integrate contributions from various line ministries, agencies, universities, youth organizations, and regional heads across Bengkulu Province.

"This directly aligns with the 6th pillar of President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita agenda: building from the village and from the bottom-up for economic equality and poverty eradication," Minister Yandri stated.

"It is an honor for Kemendes PDT to partner in building villages. We stand fully prepared to execute this program," Minister Yandri added.

As an immediate next step, Kemendes PDT and Kopassus will form a Joint Working Team involving key ministries and agencies to finalize operational details and guarantee seamless field implementation.

Meanwhile, the Commander of Kopassus, Lt. Gen. TNI Djon Afriandi, stated that the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) selected Bengkulu for its large-scale Civic Mission (Karya Bakti) program, scheduled to launch in October 2026.

Given the substantial scale of the initiative, the Kopassus Commander expressed confidence that its socio-economic impact will be deeply felt by local rural communities.

He emphasized that multi-agency collaboration with Kemendes PDT and other government ministries will ensure optimal execution of the Karya Bakti initiative.

"This program is not conducted for the institutional interests of Kopassus; rather, we are carrying out orders from the TNI leadership, specifically through the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD). Our objective is to ensure that this large-scale Karya Bakti initiative delivers tangible, long-term benefits for the people of Indonesia," the Kopassus Commander emphasized.

Attending the meeting from the Kopassus delegation were Assistant for Intelligence to the Kopassus Commander Brig. Gen. TNI Hendriyadi, Commander of Group 3 Kopassus Brig. Gen. TNI Bram Pramudia, Head of Administrative Staff to the Kopassus Commander Lt. Col. Inf. Ananta Prabowo, Escort Officer Lt. Col. Inf. Arief Wibisono, and Special Staff to the Kopassus Commander dr. Edgard.

Accompanying Minister Yandri were Secretary-General Taufik Madjid, Inspector General Masyhudi, Director General of PEID Tabrani, Head of BPSDM Agustomi Masik, Director General of PPDT Samsul Widodo, alongside Expert Staff members Sugito and Bito Wikantosa. Special Staff members Yahdil Abdi Harahap, Fahad Attamimi, and Andi Rahmah were also in attendance.

Photo: Angga/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT