TNI Commander Leads Army Chief Of Staff Maruli Simanjuntak

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto (left) makes command greetings with Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak after the handover ceremony at Headquarters, Jakarta, Friday (1/12/2023).

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyantome led the handover ceremony for the position of TNI General Maruli Simanjuntak as Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) at the TNI AD Headquarters (Mabesad), Jakarta.

After the sertijab ceremony which started at 08.00 WIB, Agus expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all parties, especially in the ranks of the Indonesian Army, who have supported him during his time as Army Chief of Staff.

"I thank all those who have supported me during my time as Army Chief of Staff and then I will serve in the TNI commander," Agus said at a press conference after the certificate at Headquarters, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Friday, December 1.

Maruli Simanjuntak was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo, Wednesday (29/11), as Army Chief of Staff to replace Agus Subiyanto who was appointed by the president as TNI Commander.

Maruli Simanjuntak's inauguration as Army Chief of Staff is based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 103/TNI/2023 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of Army Chiefs of Staff.

Maruliberkomitmen untuk melanjutkan program-program kerja yang telah dicanangkan Agus Subiyanto.

"Hopefully I can continue (the work program), at least it can be as good as him (Agus Subiyanto) when carrying out his duties," said Maruli.

He explained that the Indonesian Army has superior programs that support the Government's program, such as the distribution of clean water and the prevention of stunting in children (stunting).

"Regarding water, when I served as a pangkostrad, I suggested that (the work program) to the Army be massive. Now, we (TNI AD), that this should also be a program from the TNI Headquarters. So, it will be even more massive programs, such as the stunting that was said earlier," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the neutrality of all ranks of the Indonesian Army in the 2024 Simultaneous Elections, Maruli said that his party was committed to carrying it out.

"I don't want to lure this extraordinary institution (TNI AD) just for the benefit of the group," he said.

He will take firm action if any members of the Indonesian Army are proven not to be neutral during the 2024 Simultaneous Elections.

"We responded very quickly, the TNI Commander (Agus Subiyanto) must also respond quickly to members who are not neutral," said Maruli.