TNI AD Completes 2,500 Bridges and 3,000 Water Points, General Maruli Appreciates the Joint Effort of Soldiers and the Community

Kasad General TNI Maruli at the inauguration of the bridge in Bekasi Regency. (Source: Dispenad)

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Army (Kasad) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, M.Sc., praised the joint effort made by TNI soldiers with the community, so that they could complete thousands of bridges and water points throughout the archipelago.

This was stated when he reported the achievement of the development of the Army's infrastructure to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, General TNI (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto, via video conference, in the framework of the inauguration of the 2,500th Garuda Bridge and the 3,000th clean water point which is centered in Ridomanah Village, Cibarusah District, Bekasi Regency, West Java, Thursday.

In his report, Kasad said that the TNI AD had worked on 3,008 bridges, with 2,500 bridges completed and 508 others still in the process of being worked on. The construction has opened access to 7,807 villages, 9,008 schools, 4,502 health facilities, and 4,618 economic facilities, and has benefited around 4.5 million people.

"The Army has worked on 3,008 bridges and as of today we have completed 2,500 bridges here. Indeed, every day can reach more than 50, almost 100, that's because the time to start is different," Kasad explained in a Dispenad statement, Thursday (13/8).

In addition, a total of 798 bridges in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra are a priority for post-disaster work.

Kasad also conveyed that the TNI AD targets the construction of bridges to continue until at least 5,000 bridges are completed by the end of the year.

For the provision of clean water, the TNI AD has built 10,912 clean water points, including 5,797 boreholes in the last five years. Since receiving support from President Prabowo Subianto, the construction has continued to be accelerated and by August 2026 has reached 3,000 clean water points that have been completed.

The 3,000th point is in Sumenep, while in Gunungsitoli drilling reaches a depth of 180 meters and provides benefits for around 231 families.

"With the support of the President, from January to August this year alone we have made 3,232 water points, of which 3,000 have been completed. And this will continue. Hopefully our target for this bridge at the end of the year can be 5,000, at least 5,000 are completed," added Kasad, who also received a mandate as Dansatgas Bridge.

In the field of food security, the TNI AD also strengthened support through irrigation development. A total of 83,150 hectares of land that previously depended on rainwater has received irrigation support, plus 445 new irrigation points that are projected to irrigate 16,970 hectares of land.

Overall, the program is aimed at supporting irrigation of around 100,120 hectares of rainfed land so that they have the potential to harvest up to three times a year and increase rice production by around 1.5 million tons per year.

Kasad emphasized that the construction of bridges, the provision of clean water, and the development of irrigation were tangible forms of the TNI AD's support for government programs as well as efforts to provide direct benefits to the community.

He also appreciated the involvement of the community who collaborated with soldiers in the implementation of various programs.

"Cooperation from the community and life in mutual cooperation is important. With mutual cooperation, the community feels that it belongs, and I see the response of mutual cooperation of the community throughout Indonesia is extraordinary," concluded Kasad.

Responding to the report of the Secretary General, President Prabowo Subianto appreciated the track record and various initiatives carried out by the Secretary General.

The President revealed that he had monitored Maruli's actions and initiatives since before he took office as Kasad, including various efforts that have benefited the community.

According to him, the dedication of a soldier or official will ultimately be judged and recorded by the public.

"General Maruli, before becoming KSAD, before holding the highest position in the Army, I have monitored you taking good initiatives," praised President Prabowo.

"A soldier like Maruli Simanjuntak who became an officer, the highest official in the Army, is worthy of his work and dedication," he said.