President Jokowi: TNI Must Support Country’s Politics

President Jokowi accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Commander witnessed the vehicles of TNI, at the Indonesian National Defence Forces headquarters (Mabes TNI), in Cilangkap, Jakarta, on Wednesday (16/12)

In the Executive Meeting (Rapim) of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) which was held at the Indonesian Nationa;Defence Forces headquarters (Mabes TNI), Cilangkap, Jakarta, on Wednesday (16/12), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reminded the nation of the needs to establish defence power.

Therefore, the President added, Indonesia must meet the prerequisites of an integrated Primary Weaponry Defence System (Alutsista), be it in sea, air, and land.

The President explained that nearly all countries are now competing to improve their defence technology.

Therefore, according to President Jokowi, Indonesia must try to establish a more solid posture of TNI, as well as a more comprehensive and modern TNI.

“Modernization in defence technology must be done to counterbalance the advanced time. We also need to materialize independency in defence by reducing import over-reliance on defence needs through national defence industry development,” President Jokowi firmly said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also asked all leaders and TNI soldiers to improve the capacity to become professional soldiers.

The President said that as professional soldiers, TNI soldiers must be trained.

“As previously mentioned by the Commander of TNI, TNI does not have to be involved in practical politics, yet continue to support country’s political policy because politics in TNI is politics of the country. Therefore, TNI must be based on country’s policy because what country has done is for the sake of the people,” the President firmly said.

The President also reminded all that the chain of command of TNI must be enforced.

“There is only one command, straight, loyality and obedient to the President’s instruction as TNI’s highest commander,” the President said.

Meanwhile, regarding terrorism, President Jokowi said it is experienced by nearly all countries.

The President added that everytime he meets the Head of a country on an international conference, the number one priority of all countries is to erradicate terrorism.

“Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) are always mentioned. Many discussions always lead to it (ISIS),” the President said.

Therefore, President Jokowi requested the Government to start concentrating on this issue in the country.

The President reminded, if we are not careful, terrorism and ISIS could become a real threat.

“Dissemination must be conducted at the province, regency, and city levels. The people must be told that if we are not careful and detect the terrorism at the early stage, we could be late when terrorism really happens,” Presidet Jokowi said.

Therefore, the President reminded TNI to be careful.

The President requested for data collection, accompaniment, as well as concrete and breakthrough actions to stop the radicalism by using security approach, both hard and soft approach, religious approach, and cultural approach.

The Indonesian National Defence Forces Executive Meeting (Rapim TNI) which adopted the theme “Maintain loyality, morality and integrity as a base to materialize a strong, great, professional and beloved TNI” was attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Indonesian National Defence Forces Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo, Presidential Chief of Staffs Teten Masduki, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, TNI Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) Gen. Mulyono, TNI Air Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal Agus Supriatna, and TNI Navy Chief of Staff Ade Supandi. (DND/AGS/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)