All eyes on new TNI commander Andika Perkasa

Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) has cleared General Andika Perkasa as the future Indonesian Military (TNI) commander. He is set to replace Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, who will retire this year.

The DPR promptly delivered its approval letter for the new TNI commander’s appointment to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Earlier, the House had heard General Perkasa’s vision and mission during his fit and proper test.

Describing his “TNI is Us” vision, Perkasa told the House he wanted the Indonesian and international community to see TNI as a part of themselves.

He expressed the hope that Indonesian would see TNI as it is, while the institution strives to fix its own flaws.

He said he believes that even with existing restrictions in place, he would be able to achieve what he wanted to do.

There are three missions that Perkasa has set for himself: asserting the nation’s sovereignty, preserving the nation’s unity based on Pancasila and the Constitution, and protecting every single Indonesian citizen.

To realize his vision and missions, the general outlined eight aspects that will be his focus as TNI commander.

These aspects include strengthening TNI’s duty execution based on the law; bolstering security operations at land, sea, and air borders; and improving TNI’s readiness for both war and non-war military operations.

He said he would also improve cyber operations; strengthen intelligence synergy, especially in conflict areas; fortify integrated tri-dimensional interoperability within TNI’s operation pattern; and enhance the integration of organization management to realize an adaptive TNI.

General Perkasa said his final focus is reactualizing the role of military diplomacy within the framework of foreign policy.

Source: Antara News