Position Ends December 2022, TNI Commander Calls President Jokowi Usually Determines Replacement

The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Andika Perkasa, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/10/2022). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) usually determines the figure of a candidate for TNI commander in a sudden and without discussion from a long time ago. "As far as my experience, the President never spoke long ago, he must have suddenly," said Andika at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, October 5. Andika said this when asked whether President Jokowi had asked him to discuss the new TNI commander candidate. He admitted that he did not want to speculate anything about the candidate for TNI commander who would replace him in December 2022. Andika's term as TNI Commander will expire in the last month of this year because she is entering retirement age. He also admitted that he did not have special preparations before retiring. When asked about the discourse on extending his term of office as TNI Commander until 2024, Angika was reluctant to comment. "No answer me," he said. However, he added, as a soldier he will carry out well whatever President Jokowi orders. "Yes, whatever the order, I will carry it out," said the 1987 Military Academy graduate. Andika Perkasa was inaugurated by President Jokowi as TNI Commander on November 17, 2021, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 106/TNI 2021. Andika at that time replaced Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto. According to Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI, the highest retirement age of soldiers is 58 years for officers and 53 years for non-commissioned officers and enlisted officers. Andika was born on December 21, 1964 or 57 years ago, and on December 21, 2022 she will be 58 years old or retire. Currently, there are three chiefs of staff from three TNI dimensions who have the opportunity to become candidates for TNI commander, namely Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Dudung Abdurachman, Navy Chief of Staff (KSAU) Admiral Yudo Margono, and Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo.