Udayana Military Information Head Reveals Joni Kalla Can Continue Selection to Enter the National Armed Foces

KUPANG - Head of Information for the IX/Udayana Military Command, Colonel Inf Agung Udayana, Colonel Inf Agung Udayana, said that Yohanes Ande Kalla, or Joni as he is known, is still given the opportunity to continue the selection process to become an Indonesian Army soldier.

"Mainly because the minimum height requirement is 163 cm, while in remote areas such as the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region with special provisions of 160 cm. The person concerned is only 155.8 cm tall," he said in a statement received in Kupang, reported by Antara, Tuesday, August 6.

He conveyed this in relation to the news about Joni Kalla, the Red and White Boy who is known to have failed the National Armed Forces (TNI) entrance test because he did not meet the height requirement, going viral again.

It is currently still in the administrative stage, so Joni is still given the opportunity to continue the TNI entrance test.

Kapendam said that the heroic action that went viral in 2018 during the 73rd Indonesian Independence Day ceremony in Silawan Village and then received an award certificate from the TNI Commander and the Minister of Education and Culture became a consideration for Joni to continue the TNI AD selection test.

"Currently, this has become a consideration for the army leadership so that Joni can continue the soldier selection test," he said.

The award certificate has also been reported to the Army Headquarters, and an order from the Army Headquarters to be given the opportunity to take the test. "Later we will explore whether there is more potential in other fields," he said.

Kapendam said that the tests that will be carried out in general terms, include health, posture, physical and academic tests to psychological tests.

"Later from the series of tests, whether there is very strong potential as an advantage from Joni," he said.

The selection process from Kodam IX/Udayana has begun on Tuesday (6/8). With a series of tests that have been prepared to be reported to the TNI AD Headquarters as the final decision maker.

"Well, if there are indeed potential points in question as special advantages that can cover the previous shortcomings, then we will report it to the Army Headquarters. Therefore, Joni is still included. Later we will assess it as a whole, then we will submit the data to the Army Headquarters. The Army Headquarters made the decision," said the Military Information Chief.

Meanwhile, Joni, contacted from Kupang, admitted that he had been contacted to return to Kupang to take a series of entrance tests. "Now he is still in Atambua, maybe he will go to Kupang soon," he said briefly.