The Reason Why Gatot Nurmantyo Was Not Present At President Jokowi's Mahaputera Star Award

Gatot Nurmantyo (Photo: Facebook Gatot Nurmantyo)

JAKARTA - Former TNI Commander Gatot Nurmantyo chose not to attend the Mahaputera Star award ceremony by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) which was held at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 11.

According to the Head of the Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Gatot Nurmantyo will be awarded the Mahaputera Star for serving as TNI Commander for the 2015-2017 period. But lately, Gatot sent a letter to President Jokowi notifying him of his absence.

"Pak Gatot has a letter to the President. Later, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs will deliver it," Heru told reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, November 11.

He said that there were several reasons put forward by Gatot for not attending the star awarding event, namely during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current condition of the TNI. "In the letter like that. That's his right," he said.

"What is clear is that the state provides, carries out duties and obligations to former high-ranking ministers who deserve to be given. That's the process in the honorary degree council, there is a special council, and it has been carried out," he added.

Besides Gatot, there are several other names who also received awards but did not attend. There were several reasons that were stated, namely that there was a job that could not be left behind until he was sick.

"There are some who are not present in unhealthy conditions and there are some who are still in office and then they get a special assignment," he said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) would give an honorary title in the form of Bintang Mahaputera to former TNI Commander Gatot Nurmantyo.

The awarding of Gatot Nurmantyo, who is also the Presidium of the Coalition for Action to Save Indonesia (US), will be held to coincide with the commemoration of Heroes' Day on November 10-11.

"On 10 and 11 November 2020 the President will confer the titles of National Hero (PN) and Bintang Mahaputera (BM). Those who get PN titles, among others, SM Amin and Soekanto, who get BM, include Gatot Nurmantyo and Arief Hidayat," Mahfud said as quoted from his Twitter account @mohmahfudMD, Tuesday, November 3.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) explained that the title of Bintang Mahaputera was given to Gatot Nurmantyo because he was once the TNI Commander.

"Yes, all former commanders and all former ministers and Heads of State Institutions who have completed a period also receive BM (Bintang Mahaputera). It must be given indiscriminately," he explained.