So The Sole Candidate For TNI Commander, General Andika Is Often Friendly With His Wife Hetty

General Andika Perkasa while accompanying President Jokowi at the Bogor Palace last June 2020 (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

JAKARTA - During his time as the number one person in the Indonesian Army, General Andika Perkasa often traveled to various regions accompanied by his wife, Hetty. And in every activity, Andika, who is now the sole candidate for the TNI Commander, often shares his intimacy with Hetty.

Just look at the TNI AD YouTube Channel. Kasad and Hetty will almost always be met with a scene holding hands.

Like an official trip to Baturaja, South Sumatra to take part in the 15th Garuda Shield Joint Exercise. Both of them enjoyed the trip by ship from the Port in Banten to Lampung. At that time Hetty and Andika were reviewing several locations used in the 15th Latma Garuda Shield activity. The first location visited was the Garuda Hall as the venue for the Staff Exercise material. This incident was recorded on the TNI AD YouTube.

The two of them followed several points. Andika's grip never left Hetty's hand.

Kasad and Ketum Persit KCK saw the United States Army field hospital, which has plastic surgery facilities. Kasad ordered the United States troops to share information with TNI AD personnel about field hospitals. “It's good to see everyone here, because you guys are so inspiring. I've spoken to a platoon medical officer to learn about this US Army field hospital. Don't mind if the Indonesian Army medical personnel ask what this field hospital has, so we can add what we don't have," said Kasad.

"We have 7 Field Hospitals, but I think there is still something lacking from the Field Hospital, namely surgeons," continued the former Danpaspampres. Then General TNI Andika Perkasa with his wife saw the location of weapons belonging to the Army and US Army used in training. They had the opportunity to see Himars, the US Army's high mobility artillery rocket system. Himars is a multiple light launcher mounted on the M1140 truck frame. There are 6 rockets with one launcher that can go as far as 70 kilometers. “We are very open to learning as much as possible what is special about these assets. Because maybe we will make the procurement of Himars in the budget plan for the next 5 years, “said Kasad.

Andika Perkasa's Profile

TNI General Andika Perkasa, SE, MA, M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D. is a high-ranking officer who has served as the Army Chief of Staff (KASAD) since November 22, 2018. His figure replaces General TNI Mulyono who entered retirement in 2019. Previously, he held the position of Pangkostrad since July 13, 2018 until his inauguration in November. Andika Perkasa spent the early years of his career for 13 years in the Kopassus unit from 1987 to 2000. Andika Perkasa is the son-in-law of the former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) AM Hendropriyono. The general, who has 5 academic titles, is noted to have held various important positions, starting from the Head of the Department of Defense and Security Strategy Studies Section of the Ministry of Defense in 2000, to the Head of the Indonesian Armed Forces' Dispensary Office in 2013.

Andika Perkasa was born in Bandung on December 21, 1964. He is married to Diah Erwany, the first child of General AM Hendropriyono. Andika Perkasa graduated from the Military Academy in 1987. Later he joined the Kopassus unit, as the first infantry officer of the Kopassus Group 2/Para Komando and Unit-81/Terror Countermeasures (Gultor).