TNI's 78th Anniversary, Jokowi: Modern Alutsista Is Very Necessary, But Our State Budget Is Very Limited

President Joko Widodo attended the 78th Commemoration Ceremony of the Indonesian National Army Day at Monas, Central Jakarta, Thursday 5 October (Diah Ayu/VOI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo read out the mandate of the ceremony inspector at the 78th Commemoration Ceremony of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Day at the National Monument (Monas) of Central Jakarta.

In his mandate, Jokowi views that the modernization of procurement by the TNI is very much needed in carrying out state security strategies in the midst of heating up world geopoliticals.

However, Jokowi admitted that the state budget (APBN) is very limited because it is also needed to finance programs and other policies.

"For defense equipment matters, the modernization of defense equipment is very necessary. However, state finances, our state budget is very limited and for the welfare needs of the people is very large," Jokowi said at Monas, Thursday, October 5.

Therefore, Jokowi emphasized that defense equipment spending must be done wisely both in its method and designation. The modernization of defense equipment, according to him, must be an important part of the development of domestic defense investment driven by the transfer of domestic product technology.

"Regarding this, I ask that the budget is owned, because it is difficult to collect it, it is difficult to get it and is money from the people, so as much as possible it must be spent and rotated to the people," explained Jokowi.

Starting today's TNI Anniversary ceremony, Jokowi conducted an inspection of troops by riding a amphibious tank across TNI soldiers as participants in the ceremony. During the examination of this troop, Jokowi was accompanied by the TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono and the ceremonial commander, namely the Commander of the Infantry Division (Pangdivif) 3 Kostrad Major General TNI Choirul Anam.

This activity was also attended by Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin with Wuri Ma'ruf Amin, as well as ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet and leaders of state agencies/institutions.

The previous vice presidents, high-ranking TNI officials, and state guests were also present as invited guests for the 78th Commemoration Ceremony of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Day.

A total of 4,636 personnel participated in the parade and defile ceremony of the TNI's 78th Anniversary. After the ceremony, the TNI Anniversary was enlivened by parachuting with 78 personnel from the air and landing at the Monas yard. Acrobatics of the fighter aircraft surrounding the Monas monument were also carried out.

Hundreds of defense equipment were also exhibited in the commemoration. Among them are the deployment of 91 aircraft from land, sea and air dimensions that will cross the sky over the Monas area, as well as 140 land defense equipment exhibited in the 78th Anniversary of the TNI. Not only defense equipment, the TNI will also show off missiles imported from abroad.

The commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the TNI continued with a helly dance accompanied by a family club song and followed by Wan TNI and women as many as 300 personnel, a performance of the cadets of the TNI Academy with 250 personnel, and closed with a demonstration of Kolone Kolosal Rifle as many as 678 personnel.

After that, the TNI will distribute tens of thousands of food packages to the community by convoy along the road from the National Monument (Monas) to the HI Roundabout area, Central Jakarta this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the theme for this year's TNI's 78th Anniversary is "TNI Patriot NKRI Guards Democracy for Advanced Indonesia".

The theme implies that the TNI as the main component of national defense consisting of three land, sea and air dimensions will always be solid, solid and loyal to the Nation and Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and will continue to oversee democracy in synergy with all components of the Indonesian nation.