Ganjar Pranowo: Purchase Of G2G Permanent Alutsista

Presidential Candidate Ganjar Pranowo after attending a meeting with the TPC and coalition party candidates at D'pillars Resto Cilacap, Central Java, Tuesday (9/1/2024). (ANTARA/Narda Margaretha Sinambela)

CILACAP - Candidate for president serial number 3 Ganjar Pranowo said the purchase of the main weapon system (alutsista) continues to implement the Government to Government or government system to the government (G2G).

"(The purchase of defense equipment) does not involve anyone in fact. In an important context of government, the important thing is for me to govern," said Ganjar in Cilacap, Central Java, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 9.

It was also emphasized about the development of the domestic defense industry. Ganjar gave an example, PT PAL Indonesia has produced submarines in collaboration with South Korea.

According to him, the development of domestic industries must be continued and improved because it is the strength of the nation's children.

To be able to strengthen national defense and security, continued Ganjar, consistency is needed in planning.

"So it is important to be reckless in planning, don't go back and forth. Once again it is important. So it needs to be prepared a white book for Indonesia's defense," he concluded.

In the presidential candidate debate, Sunday, January 7, Ganjar Pranowo said that the increase in the defense budget to 1 to 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was a must.

"The allocation of 1 to 2 percent of GDP, in my opinion, is a must to be strong," said Ganjar in the third debate between presidential candidates at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Sunday.

On the other hand, Ganjar said that currently the defense budget is not ideal because it only reaches 0.78 percent of GDP. In addition, he said economic growth of 7 percent annually is an obligation.

Ganjar said the steps were needed as a solution to catch up with the strategic plan (rentra) for Minimum or Minimum Essential Force (MEF) which was not expected to reach the target by 2024.

Therefore, Ganjar said the purchase of the main weapon system (alutsista) should be an investment.

"Our defense equipment spending must be our defense investment. The tanks are made at (PT) Pindad, the helicopters are at PT DI, (ships) Frigate at PT PAL, cyber at PT LEN, so if we can optimize it really, we feel like what we want to achieve from the Minimum Essential Force will be achieved," he said.

Ganjar said the purchase of defense equipment into investment was also needed so that Indonesia's defense would not experience setbacks.