Admiral Yudo Margono Will Commander Of The TNI: It's Time For Indonesia To Create Dreams To Become A Strong Maritime Country

The Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono was proposed by President Joko Widodo as TNI Commander replacing General TNI Andika Perkasa. (Between)

Rumors about who will serve as TNI Commander and then replace General Andhika Perkasa have been answered. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has proposed Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono as the sole candidate for TNI Commander.

Director of the Indonesia Intelligence Institute Ridlwan Habib assessed that the President must have considered many things related to his choice. Especially, regarding the rotation of the dimension which should indeed be the Navy's share.

Also, regarding the situation and condition of Indonesia in 2023. The chosen figure must have credibility and be able to work together to overcome increasingly severe challenges, even full of turmoil.

Jokowi once mentioned 2023 as a dark year. The economic, food and energy crisis is a prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical situations have made world countries vulnerable to recession.

The World Bank estimates that the number of countries that will experience economic collapse will continue to grow in 2023, from initially only 9 countries, 25 countries, 42 countries, to 66 countries.

Currently, 320 million people in the world are already in a position to suffer from acute hunger. The current world economic condition is at a dire stage. It is not easy to manage the country in a world situation full of uncertainty," said President Jokowi last August.

Not to mention that the tension between the United States and China in the South China Sea has also become something that cannot be taken lightly.

Then, a threat from the south. Australia has a new sophisticated submarine that can reach Indonesian waters in just a few seconds. This is also dangerous and must be anticipated by the new TNI Commander," explained Ridlwan when confirmed by VOI, Tuesday (29/11).

Not only about economics and geopoliticals, domestic politics is no less volatile in 2023. Referring to data on the stages and schedule of the 2024 General Election Commission (KPU), each party must immediately decide and register the names that will contest the 2024 General Election no later than November 2023.

Both for members of the DPR, Provincial and Regency DPRDs, as well as the names of presidential and vice presidential candidates.

"In that process, the general turmoil will increase. The TNI should not practice politics, but the TNI also has an obligation, to help the government maintain the security and social stability of the community," said Ridlwan.

The public's hope for the TNI is very large. The TNI Commander must be alert to overcome the potential problems that arise. So, it can help the government in the context of running the government in a peaceful and orderly manner.

"We must believe that the President's choice as TNI Commander is the right choice. However, the DPR must also sharpen Yudo's vision and mission in overcoming these turmoil. If Yudo becomes commander in chief, this will certainly be an important focus because we are facing a very serious global situation," added Ridlwan.

Rear Admiral TNI (Ret.) Ir. Darmawan, MM did not deny that world problems tend to widen in today's era. During the cold war, geopolitical and geostrategy issues focused on state security issues and were limited to conflicts between the Western Block and the Eastern Block.

However, now, the issue has widened into a struggle for space and natural resources, which are inherent in economic issues, democracy, cultural existence, and threats of terrorism. Natural resource struggles have also shifted from a continental arena to a marine arena.

Look at the South China Sea conflict involving major countries. All fighting for political influence to control the oceans which reportedly have oil reserves of up to 213 billion barrels. Also, hydrocarbon resources are the most natural gas.

"We had a bitter experience when we lost Sipadan and Ligitan islands. In fact, now, there is a new conflict related to the boundary of the sea area which is claimed by China. We must not falter and be careless in the slightest facing the development of this strategic environment," Darmawan said in his book Scattering Waves Towards a Maritime Country.

The world's geoeconomic and geopolitical centers of gravity are indeed shifting from West to East Asia. Indonesia as the largest archipelagic country in the world with a strategic position in the crossover of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean is certainly a crucial point in the influence of globalization.

How not, 40 percent of trade in the East Asia region passes through Indonesian waters.

"In this dynamic, the sea means very important to Indonesia's future," said Darmawan.

However, unfortunately, Indonesia has not been able to be called a maritime country so far because it has not been able to place a maritime power as the main basis for the structure of economic and political strengthening.

"We have not optimally managed the sea and the wealth contained in it as much as possible for the prosperity of the people," he said.

Darmawan quoted Alfred Thayer Mahan's statement, A nation that neglects and neglects its maritime powers can end up losing its sovereignty. On the other hand, a strong, prosperous and prosperous nation is those who cleverly build, maintain and empower it.

Those are not winged words, but contemporary facts. Now, it's time for Indonesia to reflect on Indonesia's strong leadership in carrying out its efforts to realize its politics towards a strong maritime country.

"We will not maximize the defense and maritime security that is efficient when the strength and implementation of the Navy's doctrine have not been implemented adequately. Not to mention the issue of partial perspective and sectoral ego of stakeholders," said Darmawan.

We need to make a big leap by carrying out mental revolutions, cultural revolutions, mindset revolutions, and the revolution of ways to act. Commitment to safeguarding and managing marine resources must begin by making the maritime axis a sense of common currency," added Darmawan.