President Prabowo: Indonesian National Defense Forces Must Dedicate Service to Their People
The Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) must uphold nationalism in serving the country and the people, according to President Prabowo Subianto.
The President made the statement during TNI’s 81st Anniversary Ceremony, which adopted the theme “TNI Grows Strong with the People, Ensuring a Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia,” at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap sub-district, Jakarta, on Monday (10/05).
“TNI was formed by the people. TNI fights with the people. TNI is the forces that fight for independence. Before the state could allocate budgets for them, the people established TNI. All Indonesian people fed TNI, as they received no salary,” he said.
The President underscored that TNI’s power must be used to protect the people, while reminding all the personnel to be present among the people.
“Your body and soul are no longer yours. They are no longer your family’s. Your body and soul belong to the people of Indonesia. Therefore, do not stray away from the people. You must be among the people,” he said.
President Prabowo further urged all TNI personnel to listen to the people and be there for them when they need help, while expressing appreciation for those who have stood on the front line to aid the people when disasters struck.
“I saw firsthand how our soldiers helped when disasters occurred—when floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires occurred,” he said.
According to the President, TNI’s presence in emergency situations shows a strong spirit of serving the people, adding that the commanders could take initiatives on the ground without waiting for orders when they learned that the people were facing difficulties.
“TNI is responsible for easing the people’s difficulties. You come when roads are blocked. You are there when the situation is dangerous. Your partners sacrifice their lives to help the people when disasters hit,” he said.
The Head of State also highlighted TNI’s roles, including facilitating evacuations, opening road access, building thousands of bridges, and distributing food and medicines to the most remote areas.
“In such tough times, the people see who is there for them. I would like to express my thanks and respect to you all. Keep being the people’s forces. A strong soldier is the one who is close to the people,” he said.
The President also reminded the TNI that toughness is determined not only by advanced armory and equipment and a big budget but also by a spirit to fight and willingness to make sacrifices.
“Soldiers who are willing to make sacrifices, a nation that is willing to make sacrifices, people who are tough and brave—these are the strengths of a nation,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/MMB)
