DENPASAR, BALINEWS — Major General Putra Widiastawa has been appointed commander of the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command, replacing Major General Piek Budyakto, who has been assigned to lead the V/Brawijaya Regional Military Command. The appointment is part of a series of senior officer rotations and career development measures within the Indonesian Army.
The appointment was formalised through Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander’s Decree No. Kep: 1236/X/2026, dated October 1, 2026, concerning the dismissal and appointment of officers to positions within the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
The handover ceremony for several regional military command positions was held at the Army Headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, October 16, 2026, and was presided over by Army Chief of Staff General Tandyo Budi Revita.
Head of the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command Information Office, Colonel Inf. Amrizal Nasution, said Widiastawa’s appointment reflected organisational developments and career advancement within the Indonesian Army.
“As a son of Bali, born in Singaraja, Major General Putra Widiastawa is expected to ensure continuity in leadership and strengthen the implementation of the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command’s duties,” Amrizal said in a press statement.
He added that Widiastawa’s operational and leadership experience was expected to strengthen soldiers’ professionalism, improve coordination with various elements of society and maintain close ties between the military and the public throughout Bali.
Military Academy Graduate with Extensive Kopassus Experience
Major General Putra Widiastawa was born in Singaraja, Buleleng regency, Bali, on April 3, 1971. He graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy in 1995 and began his military career in the Infantry branch, serving with the Army’s Special Forces Command, known as Kopassus.
Throughout his career, Widiastawa completed several levels of military education, including the Army Command and General Staff College (Seskoad) in 2009, the Indonesian Armed Forces Command and General Staff College (Sesko TNI) in 2018, and a programme at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) in 2024.
His operational experience includes assignments in East Timor in 1998, security operations in Ambon in 2000, operations in Aceh in 2002, border security operations along the Indonesia–Papua New Guinea border in 2015, and Operation Tinombala in Poso in 2016.
Widiastawa has also held various command and staff positions, including commander of the 328th Airborne Infantry Battalion of Kostrad, commander of Military District Command 0911/Nunukan, commander of Infantry Brigade 22/Ota Manasa, operations assistant to the commander of the XII/Tanjungpura Regional Military Command, and deputy commander of the XIII/Merdeka Military Training Regiment.
Before his appointment as commander of the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command, he served as Inspector of Kopassus, a position he had held since August 15, 2025.
His experience in operational duties, command, territorial affairs and staff assignments forms part of the professional background he brings to his new role in Bali.
During his military career, Widiastawa also received several service decorations, including the Seroja Medal, GOM VIII/Dharma Phala Medal, GOM IX/Raksaka Dharma Medal, United Nations Medal and Wira Dharma Medal.
Piek Budyakto Assigned to Lead the V/Brawijaya Command
Meanwhile, Major General Piek Budyakto has been assigned as commander of the V/Brawijaya Regional Military Command. The reassignment forms part of the Indonesian Army’s senior officer rotation programme, intended to meet organisational needs and maintain leadership continuity across different regions.
The leadership changes come amid the expansion of Indonesia’s military organisational structure. According to the information provided in the official statement, President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated six new regional military commands during events marking the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces at military headquarters in Cilangkap, Jakarta, on October 5, 2026.
The organisational expansion is intended to strengthen the military’s structure and support the execution of national defence responsibilities across Indonesia.
Under Widiastawa’s leadership, the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command is expected to continue its strategic programmes, strengthen military professionalism and improve coordination with regional governments, the Indonesian National Police and local communities.
The command plays an important role in supporting national defence and maintaining security in Bali and surrounding areas. Widiastawa’s appointment is expected to ensure continuity in military operations while strengthening relations between the armed forces and the public.
The leadership transition also reflects the Indonesian Army’s ongoing personnel development efforts to align senior leadership with organisational requirements and evolving national security challenges.
