Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Research Editor
The News Lark,
Political and economic analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
It is a matter of great pride, jubilation, and happiness that the Indonesian Naval Chief of Staff, Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali, received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on 14th September 2926. President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari conferred this prestigious award upon him. This award was conferred on him in recognition of his meritorious services and playing key role in strengthening bilateral defense ties, maritime collaboration, and professional cooperation between the navies of two brotherly countries, Pakistan and Indonesia. Pakistan Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, members of the Pakistani parliament, and diplomatic members were also present on this glorious occasion. The Indonesian Navy ( TNI AL) described the awarding of the order as a reflection of intensive bilateral diplomacy. The award also symbolizes respect for the historic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, which have endured since the era of President Soekarno.
Indonesian Navy sees and considers the honour as a strong foundation for continuing to strengthen defense cooperation with its Pakistani counterpart, particularly through joint military exercises and exchanges of knowledge on defense technology and equipment. The initiative would pave the way for even stronger relations between Indonesia and Pakistan in the future.
Admiral Dr. Muhammad Ali received the honour as the two countries have intensified military and defense exchanges this year, beginning with talks between Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Pakistani Minister for Defense Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj in January 2026. The two ministers discussed deepening ties through military education and training, defense human resource development, and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee. A joint Naval drill in the Java Sea followed the engagement in May 2026. The Indonesian Navy ( TNI AL) deployed two warships and one helicopter for tactical maneuvering, photography, and search and rescue exercises, accompanying a Pakistan Navy fleet comprising two warships and one submarine during its five-day courtesy visit. In June 2026, Indonesia welcomed another Pakistani military delegation led by Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Commodore Anwar Saeed. Fleet Commander Rear Admiral P Alit Jaya hosted the delegation in East Java on 25 June, 2026, exchanging views on strategic development and exploring avenues for a stronger defense partnership and cooperation.
Indonesia’s Navy and the Pakistan Navy agreed to deepen military cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties during talks in Surabaya, focusing on maritime security and defense collaboration amid strategic challenges in the regional waters.
Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali also called on the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, who congratulated him on the conferment of the prestigious award. Talking to him, the President said Pakistan and Indonesia enjoy enduring and fraternal relations and stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two navies. He said the blue economy holds immense potential, and the maritime sector’s mutual development needs to be harnessed. Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali was accompanied by the Ambassador of Indonesia, Lt Gen Chandra W Sukotjo ( Rtd) , Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Senator Saleem Mandviwala were also present on the occasion.
Admiral Muhammad Ali assumed charge as the Chief of the Indonesian Navy on December 28, 2022. He is an alumnus of the Indonesian Naval Academy, Surabaya, and Was Commissioned into the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) in 1989. After completing Professional Submarine Training, the Admiral qualified as a submarine officer in 1991. In his career spanning over 34 years, Admiral Ali has a combination of submarine officer positions and shore appointments. In his submarine tour of duty, He served on board various submarine assets between 1991 and 2006. For his good performance and experience, Admiral Ali was privileged to command KRI Nanggala-402 (Diesel Electric Attack Submarine) from July 2004 to January 2006. Ashore, Admiral Ali served as a staff officer in Naval Planning and Budgeting (2006-2008). And he then, in 2009, assigned to be Assistant of Operations at Makassar Main Naval Base. A year later, he assumed the position of Commander of Submarine Squadron (2010), and he was then appointed Commandant of Dumai Naval Base (2011-2012). The Admiral also served as the Aide to the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Prof. Dr. Boediono, from 2012 to 2014. On his promotion to Flag Rank, during 2015-2017, Admiral Ali held command of the Maritime Security Task Force of the Western Fleet, and later, he was assigned as the deputy of Assistant for Naval Planning and Budgeting of the Chief of Navy (2017). On his promotion to Rear Admiral Rank, he held some prestigious assignments for a period of four years. In 2018, the Admiral assumed the position of Governor of the Indonesian Naval Academy, followed by tenure as the commander of the 1st Fleet Command from 2019 to 2020. Afterward, Admiral Ali was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Navy for Naval Planning and Budgeting from 2020 to 2021. He was promoted to Vice Admiral and appointed as the Commander of the 1st Regional Defense Joint Command in August 2021, prior to being promoted to Chief of Navy. The Admiral completed his education at the Naval Staff and Command College in 2003 and the National Resilience Institute in 2017. He also holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Management Science, a Master’s degree in Naval Operations Science, and a Doctor of Management. Admiral Ali has also served as a speaker at various international forums, seminars, and symposiums, particularly those focused on maritime security. Some of the forums he has participated in include the Asia Pacific Submarine Conference (APSC) 2017, the Indian Ocean Rim Association Seminar, and the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2023. One of the quotes that is frequently shared by Admiral Ali on various occasions is “United by the Sea, Strengthened by Collaboration”, which means that only collaboration at sea can unite different interests. For his meritorious service, Admiral Muhammad Ali is the recipient of the Bintang Dharma Medal and Bintang Jalasena Utama Medal, awarded by his excellency the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Joko Widodo. Admiral Ali is married to Fera, and they have two lovely sons, Rafli and Evan.
Admiral Ali called on CDF Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral defense cooperation were discussed.The two sides expressed satisfaction over the existing military-to-military relations and reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the domains of professional training, defense collaboration and joint exercises. The Chief of Defense Filed marshal Hafiz Syed Asim Munir, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding and brotherly relations with Indonesia, particularly in the defense and security domains.Admiral Ali appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions towards regional peace and stability.
On 15 September, 2026, Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali, Chief of the Indonesian Navy, called on Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), T Bt, Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad. Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the dignitary was presented with a Guard of Honour and laid a floral wreath at the Shuhada Monument. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to enhance cooperation through training, reciprocal visits and joint naval exercises. The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan Navy’s efforts towards regional maritime security.
During his visit to Karachi, Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali also interacted with Pakistan Navy Field Commanders, the Managing Director, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, and visited the Pakistan Navy Fleet Unit and Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC). The visit will further strengthen Pakistan-Indonesia defense and naval cooperation.
Cooperation between the Pakistan and Indonesian Armed Forces is a welcome move and reflects very close bilateral relations and strong cooperation.
