President Jokowi Instructs Babinsa to Stay Neutral

President Jokowi attends roll call of Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa), at Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung, on Tuesday (17/7) (Photo: PR/OJI)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on all Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa) to maintain their neutrality. The President added that according to the law, politics in TNI is state politics and not practical politics.

“Therefore, the TNI must ensure democratic process in the country runs smoothly, securely, and peacefully,” President Jokowi said when attending roll call of Indonesian Defense Forces’ (TNI) village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa), at Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung, on Tuesday (17/7).

“What does it mean with state politics? Loyalty to the state that already provided by law. To whom must they stay loyal? To the people, who else? Yes, to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and the legitimate government,” the President firmly said.

The Head of State explained that state politics means being loyal to the people, the NKRI and the legitimate government. “Once again, it is (regulated in) the law, and to ensure that the democratic process runs securely and peacefully. Again, TNI and Indonesian National Police (Polri) should be neutral,” he added.

By being neutral, the TNI will be able to more easily embrace every element of society and cooperate in keeping the situation in order and remain conducive.

Moreover, with neutrality represented by the TNI and Polri, the President added, the people will be convinced that the TNI and Polri are really professionals in performing their duties.

“Because currently public trust in TNI is high; do not betray it with any action that makes the people degrade their trust,” the President said and adding that trust cannot be bought and is priceless. (DNS/ES) (RAS/YM/Naster)