Call The TNI A Group And Guard The Ormas, Effendi Simbolon: I Apologize

Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives Effendi Simbolon during a press conference in the PDIP Faction room, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 15. (Nailin N-VOI_

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I of the DPR from the PDIP faction, Effendi Simbolon, apologized for his statement that the TNI was like a gang during a meeting with the TNI Commander on Monday, September 3.

Effendi said that his statement in a joint working meeting between Commission I, the Ministry of Defense, the Commander of the TNI and staff did not mean to offend the hearts of soldiers and officers. "I apologize for any of my offensive words, those who hurt, those who are uncomfortable in the hearts of any soldier, from the army to officers, even the parties who are not comfortable with words that may be interpreted otherwise. I myself state that I have no intention of stating that it is as it is in the public," said Effendi during a press conference at the PDIP Faction room at the Nusantara II Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 15. Effendi said that he only wanted to describe the possibility of TNI soldiers being non-compliant so that a disharmoni occurred. He admitted that regarding the news of the dissharmoni, we want to be directly confirmed directly to the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa with KSAD General Dudung Abdurachman. "That is indeed the Army Chief of Staff who was not present and was asked to be criticized. My point is not not absent, but it would be better if the two of them were present to be able to get an explanation about the problems we want to get an explanation from them. Well, that's where there are things that essentially matter about compliance because the honor in the TNI is what we know is compliance," he explained.

The absence of the Army Chief of Staff in the joint working meeting made Effendi conclude that the TNI behaved more than community organizations (ormas) to the TNI like gangs because it did not comply with the leadership. Effendi also realized that his statement about the TNI invited the offense of many parties. However, said Effendi, he did not mean to stigmatize the TNI as many parties consider.

"Then I realized that being uncomfortable, uncomfortable and also some parties may feel offended or hurt by the words that came out of me regarding the gangs and mass organizations. In fact, I honestly never stigmatized that the TNI was a gang," he explained.

"But if there is no compliance and there is no harmony, it's like a gang. So that's what the whole recording can see, that's what I repeat and I convey in this forum," added Effendi.

Therefore, Effendi apologized to all soldiers, both on duty and retired, as well as parties who may not be comfortable with his words. "I have also spoken to the TNI Commander, I also apologize, as well as the Army Chief of Staff, I apologize and also the KSAL, KSAU who may also feel uncomfortable, I apologize," he said.

"Once again, I want to love the TNI according to my main duties and functions. I hope we love not by reducing our respect for things that may not fit within the TNI," said Effendi.

Previously, member of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Effendi Simbolon, said that the TNI was like a gang during a joint working meeting between Commission I, the Ministry of Defense, and the TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, September 5.

Effendi initially wanted to get an explanation from Andika about what really happened to the TNI. The question was related to his findings on infrastructure or disobedience, disharmoni, and non-compliance within the country's defense institution.

"This TNI is like this gang. It's more about mass organizations. There is no compliance," said Effendi.