SBY Asks the Ministry of Defense to Postpone Alutsista Buying, Prabowo's Spokesperson: We Have Priorities

JAKARTA - The Indonesian 6th President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, asked the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) to postpone the purchase of the weapon system (alutsista) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that they have priorities in purchasing defense equipment.

"Certainly, the Ministry of Defense is grateful for Mr. SBY's input. The government is considering all variables when deciding to spend. Including spending on defense equipment for national defense,” said the spokesperson for the Minister of Defense, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Saturday, August 15.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that Dahnil paid attention to the priorities, costs, and benefits of purchasing defense equipment.

"Of course. We pay attention to defense threats. As well as geopolitics and geostrategy that we are facing today," he said.

SBY also mentioned the procurement of defense equipment for the TNI. According to him, they should postpone the purchases due to the COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

"Indeed, the modernization of defense equipment and the building of the TNI's strength are important tasks. But, in my opinion, we have to postpone it. It is not good," said SBY in an interview with CNBC TV, Friday, August 14.

Currently, the main enemy of Indonesia and even the world, according to SBY, is a virus outbreak. Meanwhile, the procurement of defense equipment is aiming to deal with military threats.

Regarding defense equipment, Defense Minister Prabowo was attracted to Maung's military tactical vehicle (rantis). Prabowo, ordered 500 Maung units from PT Pindad. He confirmed that this purchase was proof that the Ministry of Defense supported the production of domestically-made defense equipment.

Through Pindad, Prabowo admitted that he wanted to create jobs for the Indonesian people. One of them is by developing the domestic defense industry.