Jokowi's Directions To Discipline WAG TNI-Polri, PDIP: It's Right, Even His Family Shouldn't Be Involved In Practical Politics

JAKARTA - A member of Commission I of the DPR from the PDIP faction, Major General (ret) TB Hasanuddin, supports President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s statement requesting that the internal TNI-Polri WhatsApp group (WAG) be disciplined.

According to him, the TNI-Polri as state instruments should not be involved in practical politics and even their families.

"Pak Jokowi's directions are appropriate, the TNI and Polri and even their families should not be involved in practical political discussions, let alone those that vilify the state or the government," Hasanuddin told reporters, Wednesday, February 23.

The PDIP politician explained that as state instruments, the TNI and Polri should support government policies. Including the relocation of the State Capital (IKN) as conveyed by the president.

"Not the other way around," he said.

The West Java electoral district legislator also judged that Jokowi's warning was correct about the radical understanding of terrorism in the ranks of the TNI-Polri family. Hasanuddin said, all parties must be aware of the terrorist mode of carrying out actions and looking for sympathizers.

"I think President Jokowi's warning is appropriate considering that the TNI and Polri are the front line and bulwarks of the state's defense. The spread of radical understanding of terrorism does not only target ordinary people, employees of state institutions, ministries, and even security forces are not immune from the influence of this negative understanding," he said. "So you have to be aware of the terrorists' methods of carrying out actions to find sympathizers," added Hasanuddin. Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked the TNI-Polri to be careful in making statements. Especially in conversations on WhatsApp Group (WAG).

“We have to start being disciplined in WhatsApp Groups. I saw it in the WA group, if you are among yourself you can, be careful. If it is allowed and if it continues, be careful," said Jokowi to the TNI-Polri ranks at the 2022 TNI-Polri leadership meeting (rapim) at TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Tuesday, March 1.

He then gave an example, one of which was discussed about the nation's capital city (IKN). He mentioned that there was a discussion on the rejection of IKN in the TNI-Polri group.

“For example, when you talk about IKN, you don't agree, what is IKN? It has been decided by the government and approved by the DPR," Jokowi said.

According to Jokowi, the TNI-Polri discipline regarding the government's decision to move the nation's capital is no longer debated. He admitted that he read the TNI-Polri WA group which mentioned the IKN.

"In the discipline of the TNI and Polri, it cannot be debated, especially in the WA group, it is easy to read," said Jokowi.