Prabowo Hits Illegal Mines: 1,000 Mines, TNI Polri Officials Don't Know!
JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has explicitly asked the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to investigate a number of illegal tin mining activities that had previously been closed in Bangka Belitung.
Prabowo said that at the end of last year he had closed 1,000 illegal tin mines in Bangka Belitung and questioned how illegal mining activities in large numbers could take place without the authorities knowing.
"I ask the TNI commander and the National Police chief to investigate! During the 1,000 mines, TNI and police officials did not know. For what the state gives them ranks, gives them positions if they can't discipline this," said Prabowo in his speech at the Annual Session of the DPR/MPR, Friday, August 14.
Prabowo explicitly conveyed that the order to discipline was delivered on behalf of the Indonesian people. He also emphasized the importance of a leader's courage in disciplining subordinates if they are proven to have committed violations.
"A good leader is one who dares to discipline his own subordinates," he continued.
Prabowo said that firm action must still be taken even though the party to be dealt with was a subordinate who had just received a promotion or award.
"Sometimes we are sad, the people we love, who we have just given stars, promoted, we have to follow up. But for the sake of the nation, the people we have to do," he said.
Not only the TNI and the Police, Prabowo also asked the Minister of Finance to investigate problems in the customs sector. He also highlighted the role of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) in preventing smuggling.
"Why is there still a lot of smuggling there?" said Prabowo.
Prabowo emphasized that government policies should not be determined by personal feelings.
According to him, the oath of office that he has uttered requires that every policy is based on the interests of the Indonesian people.
"I can't let my feelings determine my policies. I have to determine my policies based on the interests of the Indonesian people," said Prabowo.