The Election Of Maruli Simanjuntak As The Kostrad Commander Is Not A Surprise In The Eyes Of The DPR

Major General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak (Photo via Instagram marulisimanjuntak92)

JAKARTA - Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives responded to the appointment of Major General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak as Commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Pangkostrad). According to legislators, there are a number of factors that determine the determination of the position.

Member of Commission I of the DPR RI from the PPP faction, Syaifullah Tamliha, said that there were potential political considerations behind the decision of the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa to appoint Maruli as Pangkostrad.

"It cannot be blamed if the public then assumes that the three- and four-star general positions within the TNI are political considerations that become dominant," Tamliha told reporters, Saturday, January 22.

In fact, Tamliha admitted that he had previously predicted that the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa would choose Maruli as Pangkostrad over other candidates.

The names of high-ranking TNI AD officers who had entered the Kostrad Stock Exchange besides Maruli were the Siliwangi Military Commander Major General Agus Subiyanto, Kasuari Commander Major General I Nyoman Cantiasa and Mulawarman Military Commander Major General Teguh Pudjo Rumekso.

Tamliha said that the name Maruli was the strongest fit to fill the position of Pangkostrad because she was the son-in-law of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and had been the Commander of Jokowi's Paspampres.

"As I said, after General Dudung Abdurrahman becomes KSAD, the vacant Pangkostrad seat will be filled by one of the Military Commanders in Indonesia and the champion is the Udayana Military Commander, Major General Maruli Simanjuntak, who is Pak LBP's son-in-law (luhut)," explained Tamliha.

"He is a former Danpampres, so he is used to hanging out with President Jokowi," he continued.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission I of the DPR RI, Dave Laksono, said that Andika's decision to appoint Maruli as Pangkostrad was based on the approval of the Council of High Ranks and Positions (Wanjakti).

Wanjakti is the highest forum that determines who high-ranking officers are worthy and deserving of occupying certain posts or positions. According to him, Wajanti considered that Maruli could carry out his duties well.

"The most important factor, of course, is the agreement between Wanjakti, who considers him the right estimate to fill the position," said Dave.

"We continue to hope that all TNI personnel will continue to carry out their duties professionally. We believe that he will be better at carrying out his duties," he continued.

As is known, TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa officially appointed TNI Major General Maruli Simanjuntak as Pangkostrad as of January 21, 2022. Maruli replaces Lt. Gen. Dudung Abdurrachman who currently serves as Army Chief of Staff (KSAD).

Maruli's appointment as Pangkostrad was determined through the Decree of the Position of 328 TNI High Officers through Decree number 66/I/2022 dated January 21, 2022 concerning Dismissal from and Appointments in Position within the TNI.

Maruli is the son-in-law of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. He is also a former Commander of the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) in 2018-2020. Finally, Maruli served as Commander of the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command (Pangdam) from 2020 to 2022.