Prabowo's Praise To Andika Perkasa: General Andika A Plenary Figure As Commander Of The Indonesian Armed Forces

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto supports President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s decision to appoint Army Chief of Staff (KSAD), General Andika Perkasa, as TNI Commander to replace Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto who will retire this year.

This was conveyed by his spokesman, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak. Dahnil said Prabowo considered Andika as the perfect person to occupy the position because he had a brilliant career and had experience in the field.

"The Defense Minister has known him (KSAD General Andika Perkasa, ed) since he became a member of Mr. Prabowo in Kopassus", Dahnil told reporters, Wednesday, November 3.

He said that the relationship between Prabowo and Andika has also been good and has a strong relationship. Thus, Andika's figure is considered plenary as a replacement for Hadi Tjahjanto.

"The chemistry between the Minister of Defense and General Andika is very good and strong. General Andika is a complete figure as a Commander in addition to having experience as a field and combat general, he has good academic and intellectual capacity so that the Minister of Defense believes he can work well with him", said Dahnil.

He also emphasized that Defense Minister, Prabowo, would certainly be ready to work with Andika after he was appointed Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces to carry out President Jokowi's orders and directions to strengthen Indonesia's defense.

"Minister of Defense Prabowo supports whoever is appointed and trusted by the President as Commander of the TNI, and is ready to work together to strengthen Indonesia's defense", said Dahnil.

Previously reported, President Jokowi only proposed one name, namely General Andika Perkasa to replace Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto. After the proposal, the palace, represented by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, asked the Indonesian Parliament to immediately conduct a fit and proper test.

"We, on behalf of the government, really hope that the chairwoman of the House of Representatives, led by the House of Representatives and all members of the House of Representatives, can process it immediately and we really hope to get approval as soon as possible", said Pratikno at the House of Representatives Building, Wednesday, November 3.

"So that the government can immediately issue a presidential decree and the president can immediately inaugurate a new TNI commander", he continued.