The Number of Special High-Ranking TNI Officers Continues to Increase in 2023

Throughout 2023, the number of special high-ranking officers (pati) in the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) consistently increased. This is recorded in the journal *Digital Competence and TNI Human Resource Management in the Era of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution*, written by Mhd. Halkis, Chandra Ariyadi Prakosa, and Tarsisius Susilo.

The authors compiled these special pati across three branches: the Indonesian Army (TNI AD), the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU).

In the first quarter of 2023, the total number of special pati was recorded at 70. This number increased drastically by 74.28% in the second quarter to 122.

However, in the third quarter of 2023, there was only a slight increase to 126. The peak was in the fourth quarter, with the total number of special pati increasing by 17.46% to 148—represented by the authors with a warning sign: a red triangle with an exclamation mark.

"This warning highlights the impact of 'uncontrolled growth in the number of pati,' indicating a serious risk if this growth trend is not managed properly," the authors wrote, as quoted on Monday (March 24, 2025).

The authors added that personnel officials within the TNI stated that the abolition of the dual function of the ABRI (Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia) due to Law Number 34 of 2004 included TNI employees with the rank of colonel into the TNI organizational structure. "That opinion remains relevant," the authors stated.

However, the authors argue that since 2009, there has been a gradual 'natural' separation that ended in 2012 when they entered retirement.

"Therefore, the surplus of colonels and pati has not been affected by the abolition of the dual function of the ABRI since 2012 until now," the authors claim.

(Also read: [Difference between Planned and Actual Number of TNI Personnel at the Beginning of 2024](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/demografi/statistik/67e1a7b3660c1/beda-jumlah-rencana-dan-aktual-personel-tni-pada-awal-2024))