President Jokowi: TNI, Polri Officers Should Become Fast, Skilled Learners

President Joko Widodo at the 2024 Prasetya Perwira (Praspa) ceremony for the newly-graduated personnel of the Indonesian National Defense Forces and the Indonesian National Police in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/16). (Photo by: Cabinet Secretariat’s Public Relations/Djay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo led the 2024 Prasetya Perwira (Praspa) ceremony (the oath-taking ceremony) for the new officers of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/16).

In the ceremony, President Jokowi inaugurated 906 junior officer candidates (capaja) as TNI-Polri officers.

In his welcoming remarks, the President emphasized that science and technology are developing very rapidly, disruption continues to go on, and many new things which were once unimaginable are emerging. Therefore, TNI-Polri officers must keep learning and always keep up with the existing developments.

“Currently, many disruptions are taking place, such as those triggered by Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Society 5.0, digitalization, automation and artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions and trade wars, climate change and the energy transition, all of which are happening very quickly,” he stressed.

The President advised the newly-inaugurated TNI-Polri officers to become competent individuals who never stop learning and quickly adapt to the times.

“For this reason, you must become superior figures, who are professional, reliable and skilled, who master their profession and must never stop learning, who can adapt quickly, who continue to upgrade their skills and abilities, continue to innovate and master technology, including digital technology and artificial intelligence,” added the President.

At the end of his remarks, the President told the newly-inaugurated officers to be willing to sacrifice and always serve the country, maintain TNI-Polri solidarity, and uphold the soldier’s oath that they had taken.

“Brothers and sisters, you are the nation’s bhayangkara (referring to the elite troops of Majapahit kingdom) and defenders of our homeland, the backbone of the nation’s defense and security to protect all the people of Indonesian and all of Indonesia’s territory. Devote yourselves, brothers and sisters, to the nation and the country. Always be faithful and ready to sacrifice, always lead with heart, wisdom and virtue. Uphold the Saptamarga (TNI’s seven basic principles), the soldiers’ oath, and the Eight Obligations of TNI. Uphold Polri’s Tribrata (Polri’s three basic principles) and Catur Prasetya (Polri’s four main pillars). Maintain the solidity and unity of TNI and Polri. Love your nation, love your people,” he concluded.

For the record, the total number of officers inaugurated was 906, consisting of 417 junior officer candidates (capaja) from the Military Academy, 129 junior officer candidates from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Academy, 113 junior officer candidates from the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) Academy, and 247 junior officer candidates from the Police Academy.

The 2024 TNI-Polri Praspa ceremony was also attended by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Maruf Amin and his wife, Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, Commander of TNI General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian. (ECH/DNS) (TM/RAS)