General Richard Tampubolon Appointed as Secretary of DPN, Succeeding Donny Ermawan Taufanto

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Defense for Strategy, Doctrine, and Strength Development, General TNI Richard Taruli Horja Tampubolon, has officially accepted the position of Secretary of the National Defense Council (DPN) on Tuesday (21/10/2026).

Richard takes over from Air Marshal (Ret) Donny Ermawan Taufanto, who previously served as Secretary of DPN.

“General TNI Richard Taruli Horja Tampubolon has officially assumed the responsibility as Secretary of DPN, replacing Air Marshal (Ret) Donny Ermawan Taufanto,” stated the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) via its Instagram account, as quoted on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

Richard expressed appreciation for Donny's contributions in strengthening the role of the DPN in providing recommendations for national defense.

“This transition of responsibility ensures continuity in leadership and synergy for the sovereignty and safety of the nation,” he wrote.

According to the official DPN website, the National Defense Council of the Republic of Indonesia, established by Presidential Regulation Number 202 of 2024, is a non-structural institution led by the President.

The formation of the DPN is based on Law Number 6 of 1946.

This law states that the formation of the DPN aims to assist the President in fulfilling duties related to defense and security.

The institution's tasks include providing advice and formulating policy solutions for establishing strategic national defense policies, encompassing state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national safety.

In performing its duties as outlined in Article 2, the DPN carries out the following functions:

a. formulating an integrated national defense policy as a guide for ministries/agencies and the public to carry out their respective responsibilities in supporting national defense;

b. developing integrated policies for mobilizing and demobilizing national defense components;

c. assessing risks associated with national defense policies;

d. formulating policy solutions related to geostrategy, geopolitics, and geo-economics for aligning strategic policies and priority programs in national defense;

e. administering the DPN; and

f. performing other functions as directed by the President.

Richard Sworn in by Prabowo

President Prabowo Subianto sworn in Lieutenant General TNI Richard Taruli Horja Tampubolon as Deputy Minister of Defense for Strategy, Doctrine, and Strength Development on Thursday (15/10/2026).

Richard's appointment coincided with the promotions of General TNI as the Chief of Staff of the Army (KSAD), Major General TNI Kristomei Sianturi as Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak as Deputy Commander of the TNI.

Richard previously served as the Commander of Joint Defense Area Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III before being appointed as Army Chief of Staff (Kasum) TNI in July 2024.