Directives of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Ceremony of the 2021 Reserve Component Inauguration, 7 October 2021, at the Special Force Education and Training Center, Batujajar Sub-District, West Bandung Regency, West Java Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May peace be upon us all,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia and Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Distinguished Chairpersons and Members of the House of Representatives in attendance,

Distinguished Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Chief of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (Polri),

Distinguished Chiefs of Staff of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, and High-Ranking Officials of the TNI and the Polri in attendance,

Distinguished Defense Attachés of Friendly Countries,

Distinguished Governor of West Java,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests.

The sovereignty of the state, the territorial integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, [and] the protection of the Indonesian nation and people are above all. The TNI as the primary component always stands ready, but needs to also be sustained by reserve components and supporting components. It is our national defense system that is universal. People’s universal defense and security systems that involve all citizens, regions, and other national resources. Every citizen has the right and is obliged to participate in measures to defend and protect the state.

I would like to thank all of you for voluntarily registering and participating in the selection process and basic military training. And today, all of you are inaugurated as members of the Reserve Component.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The active period of the Reserve Component is not every day. Upon the inauguration, all of you will return to your respective profession. Members of the Reserve Component remain working as usual. The active period of the Reserve Component is only during training and mobilization. However, members of the Reserve Component must always be ready to be called for duty.

The Reserve Component will be deployed if the state is in condition of a state of martial law or a state of war. It will be mobilized by the President with the approval of the House of Representatives and the command and control of the component are under the TNI Commander. It means that none of the members of the Reserve Component carries out duties unless ordered.

I need to assert that the Reserve Component must not be used for other purposes other than defense. The Reserve Component is solely for defense and national interests. The inauguration of the Reserve Component will strengthen our people’s universal defense and security system.

At the same time, the Government is comprehensively modernizing the primary weaponry systems of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. We also have people with great abilities in science and technology. Our scientists, our engineers are researching and developing various strategic fields, including the manufacture of Indonesian-made frigates, guided missiles for air defense and sea defense as well as the manufacture of Indonesian submarines.

I thank you.

Let me conclude my speech.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (DH/MUR)