President Jokowi Gathers TNI-Polri to Combat Terrorism

President Jokowi responds to reporters questions after a silaturahmi (amicable gathering) with all ranks of Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) in Solo on Monday (30/1), at Alila Hotel, Solo, Central Java

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted that all ranks of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) in Solo, including the smallest units such as village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa) and police officer assigned to a village as an advisor on security and public order (Bhabinkatibmas), were invited to a silaturahmi (amicable gathering) with the President because they are the first units which receive information about crimes, security issues, as well as terrorism issues.

“Thus, if we listen to their information, we can prevent unwanted incidents to occur. This is the preventive measure we want to take. Moreover, we want to ensure the safety in all regions in Indonesia,” President Jokowi told reporters after the silaturahmi.

The President further said that information must be disseminated evenly from the upper ranks to the lower ranks and all ranks must understand the action they must take. Therefore, the President needs to deliver it in this silaturahmi.

“Polri Chief and TNI Commander have also delivered the same point to ensure that the information is disseminated evenly,” the President said.

Regarding the reason to choose Greater Solo area as the first region to hold such silaturahmi, President Jokowi said that Solo is always associated with terrorism. “Polri Chief and TNI Commander said that the silaturahmi must be done here. If I receive report about terrorism, one or two cases must have relation with Solo. Therefore, better approaches need to be taken in order to prevent unwanted incidents,” the President explained.

President Jokowi added that Solo is the first region where the silaturahmi between the President and all ranks of TNI-Polri is conducted. In the near future, such silaturahmi will also be held in other regions. “Polri Chief and TNI Commander will arrange the regions,” the President concluded. (UN/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)