The Chairman Of Commission I Said That The Army Chief Of Staff General Dudung Had Called And The Banks Issues Were Not Suitable For The TNI Commander

Army Chief of Staff General Dudung Abdurachman (Photo via TNI AD)

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff General Dudung Abdurachman dismissed the issue of disharmony with the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa who appeared at the Commission I meeting of the DPR yesterday. Dudung's rebuttal was revealed by the chairman of Commission I of the DPR Meutya Hafid, Tuesday, September 6. Meutya revealed that Dudung had communicated and provided an explanation regarding the issue of the disharmoni. Meutya said that Dudung's absence from yesterday's meeting was not related to the issue of disharmony, but because there was an urgency to go to Lampung.

"From the Army Chief of Staff after the meeting, General Dudung has contacted us and said the same thing. He apologized for not being able to attend, explaining his absence alone because there was an urgency that he had to go to Lampung," said Meutya in his statement, Tuesday, September 6. The deputy chairman of Golkar also said that previously the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa had explained the issue of direct disharmony in a meeting with Commission I of the DPR, Monday, September 5. Andika also ensured that the relation between the Commander and the Army Chief of Staff was not disturbed and carried out their duties in accordance with the main tasks.

"From Mr. Andika, yesterday he was present to answer directly. I think he has also explained that the relation between the Commander and the Army Chief of Staff is not disturbed, that they carry out their duties according to their respective rules and functions," said Meutya.

Meutya said that Army Chief of Staff Dudung had confirmed that he would attend the next meeting agenda. Therefore, Meutya asked all parties not to roll out the issue of domestication within the TNI

Because, he said, the Commander and Chief of Staff had clarified to the DPR that the relationship between the Commander and Army Chief of Staff was not a problem and ensured that all dimensions in the TNI were solid.

"He conveyed that the relationship with Commander Andika was fine and at a time when an explanation of actual issues was needed with the TNI Commander and the staff of the chief of staff on the next occasion he would attend," he said.

"If the relationship is too personal, we don't take care of it too much detail, the main thing is that the professional relations between the two are going well. The Commander and Army Chief of Staff have explained that there are no problems between the two. All dimensions in the TNI, God willing, are solid," he added.

Moreover, apart from Dudung, added Meutya, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has also sent a letter to the DPR regarding his absence from the meeting with Commission I of the DPR.

"The Minister of Defense and the Army Chief of Staff sent a letter to the DPR apologizing that they could not attend the meeting. The contents of the letter, the Minister of Defense accompanied President Jokowi and the Army Chief of Staff said that in his letter there was a working visit outside the city," said Meutya. Previously, Member of Commission I of the DPR RI Effendi Simbolon, alluded to the issue of a relationship disharmoni between the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa and Army Chief of Staff (kasad) General Dudung Abdurachman in a meeting at the DPR, Monday, September 5, yesterday. Dudung himself was absent from the meeting and represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Agus Subiyanto.

Effendi then questioned Dudung's absence and mentioned the issue of a relationship rift between the TNI Commander and Kasad.

"What is this? There should be no lies between us. Every time there is a Commander, from the commander to the Army Chief of Staff, it continues," said Effendi.