Rachel Maryam Wants The TNI To Be More Calculated On The Global Stage, Soldier Welfare Is A Priority

JAKARTA - Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Rachel Maryam carries a mission so that the Indonesian State Army (TNI) can be taken into account in the global world. Still at the moment of the TNI's 79th Anniversary, Rachel also stated that she was ready to fight for the welfare of soldiers from the parliamentary seat.

"We want the TNI to be taken into account in the international arena, both in terms of quality and the advantages of soldiers so that they can bring the good name of the nation," said Rachel Maryam, Tuesday, October 8.

The TNI itself is known to be members of a world peace mission to help deal with international conflicts since 1957. Routinely, Indonesia sends its military forces as a form of Indonesia's commitment to be involved in carrying out the Peace Maintenance Mission held by the United Nations (UN).

The Indonesian peacekeeping contingent is known as the Garuda Contingent (Konga). Currently, the number of TNI soldiers carrying out the UN peace mission is around 1,800 personnel, divided into six UN peace missions in several conflict countries or vulnerable countries, namely Haiti, Congo, Sudan, Lebanon, Liberia, and South Sudan.

Seeing the dedication of TNI soldiers and the great risk of their duties, Rachel, who in the previous DPR period served in Commission I, stated that she was ready to continue to fight for the welfare of soldiers.

"We also want our TNI soldiers to live in a prosperous condition and live a decent life," said the legislator from the West Java II electoral district.

Not only working to maintain national defense and sovereignty to remote areas and vulnerable areas in the country, TNI soldiers also work to help world peace. This is in accordance with the ideals of the Indonesian nation.

"Because they (TNI soldiers) have worked to fight for the sovereignty of the nation and state," Rachel said.

The TNI just commemorated its 79th anniversary on October 5. Rachel hopes that all soldiers can carry out their duties better.

"The TNI is getting stronger, solider, and professionale at the forefront of guarding the sovereignty of the nation and state," he said.

As is known, the task of the TNI is to maintain state sovereignty, maintain the integrity of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, protect the nation and all of Indonesia's bloodshed, and carry out Military Operations Other than War (OMSP).

Rachel herself is still waiting for directions from her faction, namely the Gerindra faction, whether to be placed again in Commission I or not. Commission I of the DPR has a scope of work in the field of defense, international or foreign relations, intelligence, and informatics communication.

If again assigned to Commission I of the DPR, Rachel admits that she is ready to carry the vision and mission of the elected president, Prabowo Subianto, who is the general chairman of his party. Moreover, Prabowo in the current government period serves as Minister of Defense (Menhan).

"I will bring the vision and mission of the elected President, in the field of defense. What he (Prabowo) has planned in the defense sector, we will continue," Rachel said.

On the other hand, Rachel also mentioned Indonesia's position on the conflict in Gaza and emphasized that it is ready to oversee every government policy to support Palestine.

"I think it has become a thing that is fardhu totaling, there is no difference of opinion in Commission I regarding our alignment with Palestine," he said.

"Whoever it is, from any faction, will state the same thing and agree with what Mrs. Retno (Foreign Minister) said," Rachel added.

Previously in the last meeting with Commission I of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi entrusted the Palestinian issue to the DPR. Foreign Minister Retno hopes that the DPR will continue to consistently fight for Palestine.

"One of the issues that I want to leave especially for Commission 1 to come is about Palestine," said Foreign Minister Retno when saying goodbye to a member of Commission I of the DPR, in mid-September.

"Don't leave the Palestinians to fight alone. In the midst of their rights they are deprived," he continued.