NTB Governor proposes special TNI recruitment quotas for pesantren alumni

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal has proposed that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) provide special quotas for Islamic boarding school (pesantren) alumni during new soldier recruitment processes.

The proposal was made during a prayer event for the inauguration of the Kodam XXX/Rinambora in Mataram on Friday, November 6, 2026. Iqbal noted that the TNI is planning large-scale recruitment to fill personnel needs for several new units, including six new regional military commands (Kodam) and the planned Territorial Development Battalions (Batalyon TP) intended for every regency.

Iqbal argued that pesantren graduates possess significant potential due to an education that combines religious knowledge with the development of discipline, character, and morality. He emphasized that character building is a vital component of military training, alongside physical ability and technical skills.