Prabowo Greets TNI Soldiers In Papua During The New Year Through Video Calls

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto greeted thousands of TNI soldiers who served in Papua during the 2025 New Year celebration via video call with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the 754th Infantry Battalion (Yonif)/Eme Neme Kangasi Headquarters, Timika, Central Papua.

Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Frega F.Wenas Inkiriwang when contacted in Jakarta, Wednesday, explained that Defense Minister Sjafrie attended the Akrab Night at Infantry Battalion 754/ENK, Timika, Tuesday (31/12) night, with thousands of TNI soldiers to close 2024 as well as welcome the New Year 2025.

On the sidelines of the event, Defense Minister Sjafrie contacted President Prabowo via a video call, then the President greeted and gave advice to the soldiers.

"Be a good TNI, loved by the people. The TNI is the last fort of the Republic of Indonesia. The TNI is a guarantee of our independence," President Prabowo told the soldiers by telephone from the Minister of Defense Sjafrie's device.

On the same occasion, the President on behalf of the country, government, and the people of Indonesia also thanked the soldiers.

"Thank you for your service. Thank you for your attention. Congratulations on your duty, and may the Gods always be with you," said President Prabowo.

Not to forget, President Prabowo also congratulated the TNI soldiers who are currently serving in Papua.

"The commanders, officers, the non-commissioned officers, the enlisted, brothers and sisters, good night New Year in the assignment area. Hopefully you will remain enthusiastic, remain full of dedication to the state and nation, that what you are doing is very important for our sovereignty, for our future," President Prabowo said in the same video call.

The call video phone connection with President Prabowo lasted for about 2 minutes. During that time, Defense Minister Sjafrie stood up and showed his device screen showing President Prabowo's live broadcast in Jakarta.

In the Intimacy Night event in Timika, Defense Minister Sjafrie was accompanied by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (KSAD) Lt. Gen. Tandyo Budi Revita, Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) Lt. Gen. Yudi Abrimantyo, and Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. Tri Budi Utomo.

In the event, there was also the Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III Lt. Gen. Bambang Trisnohadi, Pangdam XVII/Cenderawasih Major General TNI Rudi Puruwito, Pangdam XVIII/Kasuari Major General TNI Haryanto, Assistant Operations TNI Commander Major General Gabriel Lema, Commander of the Indonesian Navy Fleet III Command Rear Admiral TNI Hersan, and Commander of the Habema Operations Command Brigadier General Lucky Avianto.

In the same event, Defense Minister Sjafrie also greeted and interacted with TNI soldiers in various Papuan areas directly at Battalion 754 Headquarters, and through a video conference connection.

Defense Minister Sjafrie also advised the soldiers to always be vigilant and remind each other while in the assignment area.

"Remember that you are on duty in the furthest place, and the most distant place in the future, and this is a noble task because we maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," said Defense Minister Sjafrie.

In a series of working visits to Timika, Defense Minister Sjafrie also distributed aid packages in the form of nutritious drinks, vitamins, and medicines for soldiers.

At the same time, the TNI Commander also handed over aid packages in the form of medicines, snacks, and other items for all soldiers on duty in Papua.