General Andika Allows PKI Descendants To Register As TNI Soldiers, Commission I: But Not Certainly Accepted

TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa (doc. Puspen TNI AD)

JAKARTA - The National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa has changed the rules for the selection of candidates for TNI soldiers. He allowed members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) to register as candidates for TNI soldiers.

In response to this, Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Golkar Party faction Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi supported Andika's move. Because even though the registration process for PKI descendants to join the TNI was abolished, he said, it did not guarantee that the candidate would pass the selection.

"If it's a matter of PKI descendants being able to register, I don't think it's a problem, it's not necessarily accepted," Bobby told VOI, Thursday, March 31.

However, according to Bobby, it must be ensured that the descendants of the PKI should not be exposed to communism. This, he explained, can be seen through the national insight test.

"As long as there is a national insight test and ensure that you are not exposed to the ideas of Leninism, communism, and marxism which are forbidden teachings based on TAP MPRS No. 25/1966," Bobby explained.

This Golkar politician believes that the TNI certainly has good recruiting capabilities. Where to include soldiers who have the spirit of state service and understand Indonesia's position towards the PKI organization according to the MPRS TAP 25/1966.

While the swimming test question was removed, Bobby did not agree. The reason is, it will increase the cost of training soldiers to train swimming. Bobby said Soldiers need to be ready for everything on the battlefield.

"Soldiers must be ready for war in all fields, and swimming skills are not about equal opportunity, but about the basic physical abilities of soldiers, which will increase training costs and additional time," he said