President Jokowi: TNI-Polri at Forefront in Facing Challenges, Crises

Graduation ceremony of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) personnel, Thursday (07/14), at the Merdeka Palace courtyard, Jakarta. (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

The newly graduated personnel of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) will be at the forefront in facing various global challenges and uncertainties, as well as future crises, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“All of you are the chosen people, who have been through various tests, who are well prepared and trained in facing all challenges. I hope that you will be at the forefront in facing any challenges, facing the world that is full of uncertainties, and facing crises that may come,” President Jokowi said during the graduation ceremony of the TNI and the Polri personnel, Thursday (07/14), at the Merdeka Palace courtyard, Jakarta.

The President said that the world has already been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic for two years and the pandemic is still not over yet. Not only that, he added, the world is also facing various crises, ranging from food crisis, energy crisis, to financial crisis. The crisis has caused hundreds of millions of people around the world to starve and fall into extreme poverty. Some parts of the world are also divided and even war, haunted by political instability, and overshadowed by radicalism and terrorism.

“We are grateful that Indonesia is a strong nation. We have Pancasila state ideology which unites us. We are able to control the pandemic and maintain economic stability. We are even capable of running new programs,” he said.

President Jokowi further explained that even this year, Indonesia holds G20 presidency—group of twenty countries with the world’s strongest economy. He also underscored that Indonesia will make the most of this momentum to build world order and common prosperity.

“We started it with my working visits to Ukraine and Russia last month. We will continue to do this with the hope that it will bear fruit at the upcoming November G20 Summit in Bali,” he said.

To the young TNI-Polri personnel, the President also reminded them that the country has high hope on them, and they are expected to continue the mission of bringing Indonesia into a developed country that grows in an inclusive, just and sustainable manner.

“You are the future of the TNI and Polri. You must be able to master the future, be it future defense strategies, future challenges, or future technology, be smart and skilled according to future needs,” said the President, adding that with this inauguration, it is time for the young personnel to show their achievements as strong soldiers. He also ordered them to show integrity and loyalty to the people, the nation and the state.

“Show your best to always succeed in carrying out all duties. Be a leader with character, be an inspiration and a role model who always puts integrity and national interest above all else, sharpen quality and self-professionalism, maintain Saptamarga values, soldier’s oath, eight-compulsory TNI, Tribrata and Catur Prasetya Polri, serve Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Unity in Diversity,” President Jokowi said.

He also reminded them that the honor they achieve is not merely the result of their hard works alone, but also the result of the sacrifice of their parents and the support of the country.

“Therefore, promise that you will always give your utmost to the nation, be devoted to your parents and ask for their prayers and blessings. Congratulations to the young Indonesian patriots. Keep your honor as a TNI-Polri personnel. Keep fighting for your beloved country. Stand at the forefront to guard Pancasila and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Make your parents proud, make Indonesia successful,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (EST/MUR)