TNI 77th Anniversary, Jokowi Sapa Soldier At 4 Border Posts: If You Shop In Mana?

President Jokowi during the Commemoration Ceremony of the 76th Anniversary of the TNI at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday 5 October 2021. (ANTARA-Desca LN)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) greeted security officers in four border areas and the outermost part of Indonesia.

The action of greeting the cross-border Post (PLBN) officer was carried out by Jokowi on the sidelines of the peak of the TNI's 77th Anniversary commemoration which was held at the Merdeka Palace court, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 5.

Based on Antara's report, the first border security officers called Jokowi were those who served at PLBN Entikong in Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan. This PLBN is directly adjacent to Malaysia.

Jokowi then chatted briefly with Dansatgas Infantry Battalion 645 Lt. Col. Inf. Hudallah who was with 59 soldiers on duty. The President talked about where PLBN officers shopped.

"Is this for shopping in Malaysia or in Indonesia?" Jokowi asked.

"In Indonesia, at Balai Karangan," replied Hudallah.

"Is it cheaper or more expensive?" Jokowi asked again.

"It's cheaper," replied Hudallah.

Jokowi then re-assisted whether the answer was true and without hesitation was confirmed by Hudallah.

President Jokowi greeted TNI soldiers in charge of securing the border post during the TNI's 77th Anniversary Ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 5, 2022. (ANTARA-Gilang Galiartha)

Jokowi continued to greet the security officers of PLBN Motaain in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which borders Timor Leste.

Dansatgas Infantry Battalion 744 Colonel Inf. Yudi Yahya started his conversation with Jokowi by explaining that at PLBN Motaain there were 450 soldiers on duty and stated that the situation there was safe.

Jokowi then asked where the security soldiers of PLBN Motaain met their basic needs while on duty. Yudi explained that the soldiers chose to go to Atambua to meet their basic needs.

"How much is the price of rice per kilogram there now?" Jokowi asked.

"About Rp. 8,000 per kilogram," replied Yudi.

"How come it's so cheap?" Jokowi said in response to the answer.

"That's right," said Yudi.

Jokowi continued communication with Dansatgas Infantry Battalion 511 Lt. Col. Inf. Rully Noriza of PLBN Sota in Merauke, Papua, which borders Papua New Guinea.

After talking about the number of soldiers and the routine of meeting basic needs, Jokowi had mentioned whether the benefits received by the local security officers were sufficient.

"That's enough allowance?" Jokowi asked.

"Ready, enough allowance, sir," answered Rully.

"Right? Don't be afraid of the Commander in Chief?" Jokowi asked again with a smile.

"Ready, right," said Rully.

Jokowi then asked the same thing regarding benefits when greeting the soldiers of the outer islands security officers in the Talaud Islands, precisely at the Kabaruan Post, North Sulawesi. Jokowi also received a similar answer.

"No one dares to say it's not enough," joked Jokowi.

Jokowi closed communication with the soldiers at the four border posts and the outermost point by expressing his gratitude for their performance.

"What you are doing is the noble duty of guarding the border, protecting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Once again, congratulations on your duty, take care of your health, thank you. Greetings to all soldiers on the border, thank you," said Jokowi.