Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 2024 Prasetya Perwira 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 Special Capital Region, July 16, 2024

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Shalom,

Om Swastiastu,

Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Mr. Vice President and Madam,

Distinguished Ministers, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and Chiefs of Staff,

Distinguished parents of TNI-Polri junior officers,

TNI-Polri junior officers whom I love and I am proud of,

Distinguished invited guests.

Good morning!

Good morning!

Good morning!

First of all, on behalf of myself, the Indonesian people, this nation and this country, I congratulate you on your inauguration as TNI and Polri officers today. I am proud that you have gone through a very, very tough learning process, physically and mentally, academically and technically, and I am proud that you have mastered many fields of science and technology.

Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that science and technology are developing very rapidly. Disruption continues to go on; many new things that were once unimaginable emerge. Currently, many disruptions are taking place. Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Society 5.0, digitalization, automation and artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions and trade wars, climate change and energy transition are all happening very quickly.

Therefore, I advise that you must always keep up with those changes; you must always learn new knowledge and skills. Be fast and skilled learners. In the defense sector, for example, we in the fifth generation, face not only physical wars, but also non-kinetic military actions, as well as cyber warfare which can shut down our security functions, defense functions and public service functions. Similar things also happen in the fields of law enforcement, order and security, such as transnational crime, online gambling, human trafficking, illicit trafficking of narcotics and drugs, as well as increasingly sophisticated cyber hacking.

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.

TNI and Polri officers whom I am proud of,

You are this country’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 Indonesia and all of Indonesia’s territory. Devote yourselves, brothers and sisters, to this nation and this country. Always be faithful and ready to sacrifice, always lead with heart, wisdom and virtue. Uphold the Saptamarga (TNI’s seven basic principles), the soldier’s oath, and the Eight Obligations of the TNI. Uphold Polri’s Tribrata (Polri’s three basic principles), and Catur Prasetya (Polri’s four main pillars). Maintain the solidity and unity of the TNI and Polri. Love your nation, love your people.

I wish you great success in your endeavor and your performance of duties. Fulfill your pledge of service.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.