Honorary Medal Ceremony Held Twice to Ease Crowds: Security Coordinating Minister
Honorary medal ceremony, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (11/11). (Photo by: Public Relations/Rahmat)
In an attempt to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the ceremony to grant honorary medals was divided into two sessions. The first session was held on 13 August 2020 and the second was held on 11 November 2020, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has said.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awarding ceremony this year was divided into two sessions. According to Presidential Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Suharyanto, this year’s awarding ceremony must be held because there will be another one next year. In August, it was agreed to hold the ceremony twice to ease crowds,” the Minister said.
The awarding ceremony, he added, was carried out by adhering to strict health protocols. “We had seen it ourselves. Strict health protocols were implemented; when people entered the building and while they were inside. There were health protocols,” he said.
Mahfud went on to say that there were several figures who did not attend the awarding ceremony, including former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander for the 2015-2017 period Gen. (ret.) Gatot Nurmantyo. However, Gatot has submitted a letter stating that the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana medal awarded to him has been received.
“In his letter, Pak Gatot Nurmantyo stated that he has received the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana medal. He could not attend the ceremony for several reasons,” Mahfud said.
The honorary medal, he added, will be sent to the figures concerned through the Presidential Military Secretary.
For the record, President Jokowi on Wednesday (11/11) conferred honorary merit award to 71 figures: 46 figures received Bintang Mahaputera medals and 25 figures received Bintang Jasa medals. Previously, in August, the Government awarded honorary medals to 53 figures. (FID / UN)
Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana
