TNI's Valuable Asset

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa undergoes a fit and proper test for the candidate for TNI commander in front of Commission I of the DPR at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday (6/11/2021).

The House of Representatives Commission I will bring its approval for the nomination of General Andika Perkasa as the commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) to the House’s plenary session for confirmation on Monday (11/8/2021).

The approval was made after Andika conducted a fit and proper test at the House Commission I on Saturday (6/11). On that occasion, Andika explained his vision, mission and work program for eight minutes 25 seconds under the theme Our TNI. Meanwhile, his mission is to uphold the sovereignty of the state, maintain the territorial integrity of Indonesia and to protect the entire nation and homeland.

Andika's mission is in line with the TNI's main duties as stated in Article 7 (1) of Law No. 34/2004 concerning the TNI.

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The similarity of Andika's mission and the TNI's main duties underlines Andika's priority to make the TNI more compliant with laws and regulations as the basis for carrying out its duties. Related to this, Andika also emphasized his commitment not to bring the TNI into the civilian realm.

The commitment to making laws and regulations as the basis in fulfilling its duties is important because in the future, the TNI will face more difficult tasks and challenges, ranging from the dynamics in the North Natuna Sea and the security of Papua to the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the country's politics is also expected to be more dynamic as the process of the 2024 general election will begin and a number of regions will have new leaders. The commitment to continuing to maintain the TNI’s solidity and TNI-National Police synergy is also an important task that cannot be ignored.

ANTARA FOTO/GALIH PRADIPTA

Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Andika Perkasa (left) shakes hands with House of Representatives Commission I Chairperson Meutya Hafid (right) before taking part in the fit and proper test of the candidate for TNI Commander in Chief at Commission I DPR, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday (6/11/2021).

However, the TNI has a very important and valuable asset in facing these challenges, namely the high trust and good image of the TNI in the eyes of the public. A Kompas opinion survey conducted in October 2021 showed that 93.3 percent of respondents said the TNI had a good image and saw it as the state institution with the best image.

The TNI’s good image is in line with the success of the TNI in reforming itself, among other ways, by its strong commitment to “returning to the barracks”. At the same time, the public also saw the real progress of the TNI; for example, in assisting the handling of natural disasters. The collaboration between the TNI and the National Police has played a major role in accelerating the Covid-19 vaccination drive.

The TNI’s good image is in line with the success of the TNI in reforming itself.

Apart from being an important asset, the public’s positive perception of the TNI should also be maintained and even be further promoted, such as by continuing to uphold existing regulations. It is not only the task of the TNI but also other institutions. Civilian politicians, for example, should not draw the TNI into practical politics.

Finally, the smooth process of the replacement of the TNI commander is also part of the TNI's steps to further maintain its identity as a people's army, warrior soldiers, national army and professional soldiers.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.