Puan Again Reminds Panglima Agus Subiyanto Must Ensure TNI Netrality In Elections

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, attended the inauguration of General Agus Subiyanto as TNI Commander. (DPR dock photo)

JAKARTA - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani hopes that the leadership of the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto can further ensure the neutrality of the TNI in the 2024 General Election.

General Agus Subiyanto's inauguration as TNI Commander replacing Admiral Yudo Margono was carried out by President Jokowi at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 22. Puan came with two Deputy Speakers of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Rachmat Gobel.

"The replacement of the TNI Commander this time is carried out ahead of the 2024 General Election. I hope that General Agus' leadership can further ensure the neutrality of the TNI, both in the legislative and presidential elections," said Puan.

"We believe that General Agus can bring TNI soldiers to their duties and responsibilities to help secure elections without being involved in practical politics," continued the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

According to Puan, for the sake of creating a peaceful, honest and fair election, a neutrality attitude from all state officials, including the TNI. He hopes that General Agus can become the right person to firmly maintain the discipline of soldiers.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also highlighted the TNI's neutrality complaint post initiated by the previous TNI Commander. Puan hopes that General Agus can continue the relay of the TNI leadership's commitment to keep the democratic party running conducively.

"General Agus must be able to continue the commitment of Admiral Yudo, so that no TNI members are involved in the political escalation. With the complaint post, we hope it will make it easier for the TNI leadership to monitor its members," he explained.

After the Plenary Meeting of Ratification of the new TNI Commander in the DPR yesterday, Tuesday (21/11), General Agus has emphasized his commitment to escorting soldiers to be neutral in elections. In fact, he warned of disciplinary sanctions to criminal sanctions if any TNI members were involved in practical politics.

The Indonesian people adhere to General Agus' commitment. Optimize the post or complaint center for the neutrality of the TNI so that all soldiers can carry out their duties as well as possible so that this democratic party runs safely, well, honestly, fairly and peacefully," said Puan.

Puan also mentioned the TNI Netrality Working Committee (Panja) formed by Commission I of the DPR to ensure that soldiers work professionally in the 2024 General Election.

"The TNI Netrality Working Committee has been created and will be implemented. With the new replacement of the TNI Commander, the DPR hopes that General Agus can lead the TNI to cooperate well with the Panja in the DPR," he said.

Furthermore, General Agus is expected to bring the TNI to be even better, especially so that all soldiers become reliable and professional national defense guards.

"Professionalism will only be achieved if every soldier is educated and well trained to carry out every task that is his responsibility, where challenges in the future will be more complex," explained Bung Karno's grandson.

"So we hope that General Agus can maintain the determination and commitment of each soldier to give his best service to the nation and state. Strong and strong unity and integrity between the TNI and the people are the capital of the nation's strength," added Puan.

It is also said that the DPR will continue to support the progress of the TNI, including in fulfilling the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) which is the main and minimum power standard of the TNI. This is absolutely prepared as the main prerequisite for the effectiveness of the main tasks and functions of the TNI in dealing with actual threats.

Puan also highlighted the welfare of the prejutant which will have a major impact on the level of performance in each implementation of the task. He then touched on the DPR's policy regarding the addition of a budget of IDR 1.67 trillion for the TNI and the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) in the 2024 State Budget.

The addition of the budget with a value of Rp. 1,671,963,798,000 is to accommodate the plan to increase the 8 percent salary of TNI soldiers and ASN Ministry of Defense. According to Puan, the support from the DPR is to ensure that the TNI's performance is more optimal, especially since many soldiers are placed in vulnerable areas.

"The aspect of the welfare of soldiers is closely related to the professionalism of the TNI in its duty and shows its existence as the main guard in maintaining national defense and security," he explained.