Prabowo's 4 Star Giving Is Questioned, Observers Question The Basic Law

JAKARTA - The awarding of the rank of General of the Honorary TNI to the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was marked by various pros and contracts from various parties.

One of them, Military and Security Division Observer Connie Rahakundini Bakrie who questioned President Jokowi's legal basis for giving Prabowo the rank of TNI General Honorary.

Because according to him, there are no rules that allow Presidential Candidate Number 2 to receive the rank of General of the Honorary TNI.

Connie also mentioned Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI which based on its knowledge has never been changed or renewed so that there are no rules regarding promotion to retired.

"Secondly, as far as I know, there has been no change/renewation in Law Number 20 of 2009, in which it is declared that promotion of honor can only be given to active soldiers and officers," Conie said in his statement, Thursday, February 29.

"Therefore, the statement is the legal basis for what Indonesia uses 1 and also the entire ranks of the TNI and commander and Army Chief of Staff for that decision," Connie continued.

He continued that per day, he also has not found out whether in the last few days there was a kind of board relay meeting above the Highest Position and Rankage Council (Wanjakti) created by RI 1 that allowed Prabowo to receive the title.

"Because at this time what I have not found is whether in the last few days there was a kind of meeting of the council's relay above Wanjakti, which was created by RI 1 specifically, such as when the article in the Constitutional Court was about to be 'cheated' specifically for Gibran, so that the 'Wanjakti' allowed the Commander and Chief Chief of Staff to violate the law above," he explained.

"So what we have to ask is the basis of the RI 1 decision which only he can answer," Connie concluded.

Previously, President Joko Widodo explained that the awarding of the special rank of the TNI to the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto was based on Law (UU) Number 20 of 2009 concerning Titles, Service Signs, and Honors.

"This award has been through verification from the Dewan of the Title of Service and Honorary Certificate, and the implications of receiving the award for this star are in accordance with Law Number 20 of 2009," said the President, Wednesday, February 28.

The Head of State said that the awarding should have been given since two years ago for the services of Prabowo Subianto in the defense sector.

"So that we all know that in 2022 Mr. Prabowo Subianto has received a gift called Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama for his services in the defense sector, thus making a tremendous contribution to the progress of the TNI and the progress of the country," he explained.

Furthermore, President Jokowi explained that he specifically appointed the rank in the form of the Honorary TNI General, he agreed after the TNI Commander proposed it.

"The TNI Commander suggested that Pak Prabowo be given a special appointment and promotion, so all of them did depart from below. Based on the TNI Commander's proposal, I agreed to give a special promotion in the form of an Honorary TNI General," added Jokowi.