Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Puan Maharani is optimistic that the president-nominated Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander candidate would discharge responsibilities in the context of defence to address issues afflicting the country.
“We are optimistic that the new TNI commander would be able to fulfill responsibilities in the context of the TNI’s national defence duties to address national issues,” Maharani stated here on Monday.
Maharani called for public patience, as President Jokowi had yet to deliver the official letter to the DPR RI notifying about the name he nominated for the TNI commander.
The speaker also reminded the public that the TNI chief’s appointment lies within the presidential discretion.
“We hope anyone, who is nominated by the president for the TNI commander’s post is the most suitable for the TNI and the people, and the military could perform its national defence duty and serve for the best interests of the people under the new commander’s leadership,” the DPR speaker remarked.
Maharani emphasized that TNI had a vital role in national development, especially when the country faced major challenges that necessitated TNI’s presence to address the issue.
She drew attention to some challenges the nation currently faced in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, security issues in Papua, and foreign military incursions.
The speaker reaffirmed that the lower house would only take into account the interests of the TNI and people in deciding whether to accept the president-nominated TNI commander.
“This is because the TNI’s interests are the national interests, which are greater than the short-term political interests,” Maharani remarked.
The speaker is convinced that President Jokowi will notify about the TNI commander’s nomination to the parliament shortly, as the parliament would enter the recess period on October 7, 2021.
The term of the current TNI chief, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto will expire on November 8, 2021, and the DPR RI is required to confirm the nomination at most 20 days from the day the DPR RI received the presidential letter notifying of the nomination.
Source: Antara News