Directives of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 2024 Leaders’ Meeting of the Indonesian National Defense Forces and the Indonesian National Police, at the Ahmad Yani Sports Arena, Headquarters of Indonesian National Defense Forces, Cilangkap, Jakarta, February 28, 2024

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamu’alaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good morning, may prosperity be upon us all,

Shalom,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Deputy Speaker of the Republic of Indonesia,

Distinguished Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia,

Distinguished ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, attending here with me are Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Minister of Defense, Presidential Chief of Staff,

Distinguished Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and Chief of the Indonesian National Police, along with Chiefs of Staff of all armed forces,

Distinguished participants of the Leaders’ Meeting of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri),

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all personnel of the TNI and Polri who have ensured security, who have ensured order during the election, so that election and vote counts took place safely and peacefully. Even though I know there are some concern and issues, those are normal and common in democracy. It is very likely that people will have different opinion and different choices in democracy.

However, I also need to remind you that there are still several stages of the election until upcoming October, which will require proactive steps to neutralize political residue, to mitigate election disinformation, as well as to maintain harmony, maintain our unity as a nation and state.

Distinguished personnel of the TNI-Polri,

The challenges we are facing now are uneasy, not only domestic challenges. In fact, the most difficult one is external challenges, complex global challenges that can significantly impact the economic and social situation within our country. We know that economic uncertainty is still unclear, still uncertain. The global geopolitics is also difficult to predict, difficult to calculate. The global economic and political landscapes are also difficult to calculate, difficult to predict.

We learn that the conflict in Ukraine is still flaring up when the Gaza conflict arises, and then there is also Yemeni conflict. All of the conflicts have triggered global food inflation. We know that in the past many countries made an offer for us, for example, rice, almost all rice producing countries offered us their rice. Currently, it is not easy and even difficult for us to get rice from producing countries, because every country is currently clamping down on food exports, either wheat or rice, due to climate change, change in weather, and supply chain disruptions.

Many countries have already fallen into recession. Recently we learned that England has entered a recession, Japan has entered a recession, and the recession probabilities have hit large countries. For example, Germany’s recession probability is already at 72 percent, while the European Union (EU) is at 60 percent, and the U.S.A. is at 40 percent. And we should be grateful that Indonesia’s probability is still at 1.5 percent. This is what we must continue to maintain.

In addition, we must be careful of the use of fiscal policy in war. Because of Ukraine, because of Gaza, because of Yemen, the Houthi, it causes the fiscal use of war to increase very sharply. Such as embargoes, restrictions, and currently, if in the past countries were open, open, open, now all countries are protectionist, becoming protectionist countries. Currently there are 1,348 protectionist policies implemented by countries, mainly regarding food. This has tripled. This means an increase of 300 percent compared to 2014, and this will continue to increase.

And, we should be grateful, thank God, amidst the multiple global crises, bewildering economic uncertainty, our economy stays resilient. Among the G20 member countries, we are one of the top three economies with positive growth and economic performance. We all know that our economy grew by 5.05 percent in 2023, the inflation rate controlled at 2.57 percent, the poverty rate decreased to 9.36 percent, the unemployment rate dropped to 5.32 percent, as well as the Gini coefficient also decreased to 0.388 percent.

Despite the good numbers, I keep on saying that we still have to be careful, we still have to remain vigilant, because the future global competition will become more complex and unclear. It creates economic and geopolitical uncertainty, thus it has become a major discussion in several high-level meetings, such as at the G20, G7, and ASEAN.

Therefore, the use of technology in conventional warfare and cyberwarfare will increase. For that reason, TNI-Polri must have the courage to adopt technology. Fighter aircrafts are necessary, yes. Tanks are necessary, sure. But we have to be careful also with drones. I recall in January 2020, there was a use of drones which surprised me because they were so precise and so accurate in chasing their target. At that time, Major General Soleimani, the Quds commander of the great guard of the Iranian revolution, was shot by an armed drone. It was so accurate because it used facial recognition. He was killed. And what surprised us more was that it happened in Iraq but the drone was rumored to be controlled from Qatar, from the United States headquarter in Qatar.

These are the things that we must follow, we observe how technological developments can shift from conventional warfare to remote warfare. Therefore, mastery of science and technology will be increasingly necessary. The TNI-Polri personnel must be active learners, adaptive learners. The TNI-Polri personnel must also be able to carry out early detection, take anticipatory measures, strengthen professionalism and provide service to the community. The TNI-Polri personnel also needs to strengthen the values of prima (excellent) TNI, presisi (precise) Polri, and unity with the people.

Synergy between the TNI and Polri is extremely crucial. Horizontal synergy among units, vertical synergy from top to bottom. Break down silos, eliminate barriers and tunnel vision. Everything must be served for the nation and the state.

The TNI-Polri must become an important part in welcoming the 2045 Golden Indonesia, as we have a great opportunity to become a developed country and escape the middle-income trap. The momentum is in the next 15 years when we will enjoy so-called demographic bonus. Commonly the demographic bonus only happens once, and never again in every civilization. The countries in Latin America were already developing countries during the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s. They had been developing countries. But until now, they are still developing countries. It’s because they can’t make breakthroughs, they can’t make the leap to become developed countries. We also have to observe and study things like this so we don’t get stuck in the middle-income trap. There are opportunities but the challenges are also not easy, so all policies must be made carefully. Development must be carried out sustainably and consistently. This is what is important, and must be monitored with detail and conscientiousness.

Finally, on this auspicious and rewarding occasion, I would like to award a special promotion of the Honorary TNI General title to Mr. Prabowo Subianto. This award is a form of recognition and affirmation for the dedication and devotion to the people, the nation and the state. I congratulate Mr General Prabowo Subianto.

That concludes my statement on this auspicious occasion.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(AY/LW)