In Front Of Prabowo, Jokowi Asks For The Defense Spending Policy To Become A Long-term Investment Policy

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked for the defense equipment spending policy to become a long-term defense investment policy. This was conveyed in the presence of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto who was present at the ceremony to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of the TNI at the Merdeka Palace.

"I reiterate that we must shift from a defense spending policy to a defense investment policy that thinks long-term, is systematically designed, and which is carried out consistently and sustainably," President Jokowi said in his ceremony address which was broadcast live on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Tuesday, October 5th.

He ordered the ranks of the TNI to continue to innovate the latest technology in the country. In addition, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta wants Indonesia to continue to be active in the global defense industry consortium by holding the spirit of independence along with strengthening the domestic defense industry.

The goal is that in the future Indonesia's defense forces can be more qualified to maintain the country's sovereignty. Moreover, the spectrum of threats faced by the TNI will be wider.

"Facing a wider spectrum of threats, defense transformation must continue to lay the foundation for the formation of modern defense capabilities that are relevant to the latest developments in military technology," said Jokowi.

In addition, he also asked for the strengthening of strategic culture for soldiers and TNI officers to continue and become the main foundation of defense transformation. "That is the TNI, which is united with the people, with a universal people's security system that is defensive, active with layered defense, and utilizes military technology leaps, and planned defense investments," said Jokowi.

"This modernization of defense must be accompanied by a breakthrough in economic management and defense investment," he added.

According to the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube video, the ceremony was held at the Merdeka Palace courtyard. The event was attended by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, KSAD General Andika Perkasa, KSAL Admiral Yudo Margono, and KSAU Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo.

The event began with singing the anthem Indonesia Raya and continued with a moment of silence. Next, the soldiers' representatives read the Sapta Marga in front of President Jokowi.