The TNI Person Who Helped Celebrity Rachel Vennya Escape From Wisma Athletes Smudges Jokowi's Praise

JAKARTA - Last October 5, while leading the ceremony to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of the TNI at the Merdeka Palace. President Jokowi praised the ranks of the TNI in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president said at the time that Indonesia's success in suppressing active cases could not be separated from the participation of the TNI.

"Our success in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be separated from the great role of the TNI," he said.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta also said that the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic still shrouds the country.

"If it is likened to a war, fighting the COVID-19 virus at this time is like a protracted war, a war that is very draining, draining the mind, mental, and fighting spirit," he said.

Less than a month after the praise came out of Jokowi's mouth, TNI personnel themselves tarnished him. Celebrity Rachel Vennya ran away during quarantine at Wisma Atlet Pademangan, Jakarta, after returning from the US. Rachel Vennya escapes with the help of TNI personnel.

"Kodam Jaya is in the process of being investigated regarding the news of Rachel Vennya's escape from quarantine at the Wisma Atlet Pademangan Hospital," said Head of Pendam Jaya Colonel Arh Herwin BS in a written statement, Wednesday, October 13.

The investigation started from the airport to the Wisma Atlet. It was found that Rachel Vennya had run away with the help of TNI personnel starting from the process at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"From the results of the temporary investigation, there were findings that there were unscrupulous members of the TNI in the Security Task Force at the airport who carried out non-procedural actions," continued Kapendam.

Whereas according to the rules, those who receive quarantine facilities at Wisma Atlet are Indonesian migrant workers, Indonesian students and government employees who return from official trips abroad.

“In the Rachel Vennya case, the program shows that the person concerned is not entitled to these facilities. During the investigation of the case, it was found that there were allegations of non-procedural actions by members of the Soetta Airport security (TNI) with the initials FS, who had arranged for Rachel Vennya's program to avoid quarantine procedures that must be passed after traveling from abroad, "explained Kapendam Jaya.