Dudung: ‘I don’t Want to be Brought into Practical Politics’

KOMPAS/KURNIA YUNITA RAHAYU

Gen. Dudung Abdurachman, the Army chief of staff.

On his 56th birthday on Friday (11/19/2021), the chief of the Army Strategic Command (Pangkostrad), Gen. Dudung Abdurachman, was officially named the Army chief of staff. He took over the new job from Gen. Andika Perkasa, who was appointed the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander at a ceremony held at the Army’s headquarters in Jakarta on Friday afternoon. Andika replaced Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, who retired at the end of November.

The sixth child of eight, Dudung has had a career in the military for 32 years and is known as a firm and courageous figure. On Friday afternoon, in his office at the Kostrad headquarters on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, Jakarta, the father of three received Kompas. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Rahma Setyaningsih's husband.

What are your priorities in the near future?

I will go to operational areas, namely Timika, Papua and Poso, Central Sulawesi. I don't want any soldiers to be in trouble just because of a lack of equipment or food. That day, all the difficulties must be resolved. I will replace the unit commanders who have failed to improve the welfare of the soldiers. If there are people who only enrich themselves and their units, I will remove them. If it is necessary, I will dismiss them.

Do you think President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, were behind your rapid career advancement?

Not at all. I met Pak Jokowi after I became a two-star general. I've never been named Dandim [district commander]. They were also my seniors when [the President] was the mayor of Solo. I also first met Megawati when I was a two-star general. I had built a statue of Sukarno [at the Military Academy]. I was promoted to a four-star general also because of my track record. Pak Jokowi saw what I did at the Jaya Regional Military Command to create peaceful conditions. Do not let anyone feel that they are the only ones who are right and feel the most powerful and justify all means. In the 2022 to 2023 period, ahead of the presidential election, I'm sure [the President] has certain considerations.

Needle drop

Dudung has promised to ensure that all soldiers are sensitive to the emergence of extreme left and right factions. “The babinsa (village supervisory non-commissioned officer) must be able to detect such movements. He must know even when there is a needle falling. So if there are organizations that try to disturb unity and integrity, don't make too much discussion. The babinsa has to immediately coordinate with the police," said the son of Achmad Nasuha and Nasiyati.

KOMPAS/KURNIA YUNITA RAHAYU

Gen. Dudung Abdurachman, the Army chief of staff.

Why did you build a statue of Sukarno at the Military Academy?

Sukarno was the first president. He established the Military Academy on 31 Oct. 1945. Then, in 1957 Pak Gatot Soebroto and Pak Oerip Soemohardjo [also helped the Military Academy]. When I became the governor of the Military Academy, I took the initiative to name every building in the Military Academy complex after fallen soldiers. Statues of the cofounders of the Military Academy such as Gatot Soebroto and Oerip Soemohardjo have also been built. In the main hall, there is also an inscription that was signed by Sukarno during the laying of the first stone of the Military Academy building. The statue of Sukarno was built so that the cadets knew that the person who laid the first stone of the building was the first president of the Republic of Indonesia. This is part of the history of the nation.

How about the speculation that you were appointed to be a political tool?

Well, that's not true at all.

What's the truth?

Pak Jokowi pays more attention to people’s work and dedication, related to professional aspects. There is nothing about a political tool or anything like that. I also don't want to be brought into practical politics.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR

General Dudung Abdurachman salutes when inaugurated by President Joko Widodo as Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, in Jakarta, Wednesday (17/11/2021).

As a political campaign year approaches, how will you keep members of the Army from getting involved in practical politics?

I will definitely tell the soldiers that the Army belongs to all groups, belongs to all political parties. Do not side with any political party. You have to be neutral because the soldiers also have to be safe if the political situation is uncertain. The TNI must be able to prevent the country from experiencing conflict.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).