Embedding Bintang Mahaputera For Gatot, Mahfud MD: He Just Accepted That He Could Not Attend

Gatot Nurmantyo (Photo: Facebook Gatot Nurmantyo Soewantyo)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the absence of former TNI Commander Gatot Nurmantyo during the Mahaputera Star embedding event did not mean there was rejection. He said that through a letter sent by Gatot to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), it was stated that he still stated that he had received this service mark.

"Of the many people who were awarded the Mahaputra Star, there were those who were not present, namely Mr. Gatot Nurmantyo but in his letter, Mr. Gatot stated that he accepted this service but he could not attend for several reasons," Mahfud told reporters as broadcast on the Secretariat YouTube account. President, Wednesday, November 11.

The first reason for Gatot's absence was that the award was given in the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Mahfud, this reason is not quite right because the palace as the implementer of this service mark has tried to comply with standard health protocols.

In fact, in order to prevent crowds, the awarding of this service mark is carried out in stages twice. "Half in August and half now. So, standards are met," he said.

The second reason, Mahfud said, Gatot felt that this service mark was not commonly given in November because usually this kind of giving was done in August.

"He said, because Pak TB Hasanuddin is not usually given in November, because it is usually in August. Yes. Precisely because of the COVID-19 season we will split in two but not later than 2020 because according to Sesmil Pak Mayjend Hariyanto it must be completed this year , "he said.

"So if the current date is given, yes, because in August it was agreed to be split twice so as not to crowd," he added.

Furthermore, regarding the Mahaputera Star that was not pinned to Gatot Nurmantyo, Mahfud said that later this token of honor would be sent through the Military Secretary. "Because he said he was here, he accepted this, he just couldn't attend the embedding," he said.

Previously, Gatot Nurmantyo chose not to attend the Mahaputera Star award ceremony by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) which was held at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 11.

According to the Head of the Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Gatot Nurmantyo will be awarded the Mahaputera Star for serving as TNI Commander for the 2015-2017 period. But lately, Gatot sent a letter to President Jokowi notifying him of his absence.

"Pak Gatot has a letter to the President. Later, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs will deliver it," Heru told reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, November 11.

He said that there were several reasons put forward by Gatot for not attending the star awarding event, namely during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current condition of the TNI. "In the letter like that. That's his right," he said.

"What is clear is that the state provides, carries out duties and obligations to former high-ranking ministers who deserve to be given. That's the process in the honorary degree council, there is a special council, and it has been carried out," he added.

Besides Gatot, there are several other names who also received awards but did not attend. There were several reasons that were stated, namely that there was a job that could not be left behind until he was sick. "There are some who are not present in unhealthy conditions and there are some who are still in office and then they get a special assignment," he said.