Tuesday, November 5, 2024

In search of the next TNI Chief

Reading Time: 3 minutes
Correspondent IBP

Journalist

yan

Editor

Interview

The House of Representatives (DPR)’s Deputy Speaker Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus said President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo would send a Presidential Letter (Surpres) on the appointment of the new Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief to replace Gen. Andika Perkasa. Based on the information received by DPR, the Presidential Palace has already processed the Letter.

“We are waiting for the TNI chief candidates from President Jokowi,” said Paulus of the Golkar Party.

House member and former TNI general Tubagus Hasanuddin said the process to replace the TNI chief has passed the deadline. The DPR will enter a recess period from December 16, 2022. Referring to the TNI Law, the House’s screening results of the new TNI chief must be submitted to the president 20 days before the recess, or before November 24, 2022.

Candidates from three services

“There are three candidates to replace the TNI chief. They all have the potential to pass the screening tests in the DPR. They are Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) Gen. Dudung Abdurrachman, Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono and Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo. However, Yudo’s candidacy is likely to have strengthened, seeing the tradition of appointing the TNI chief from the three services,” said Hasanuddin, a retired two-star general from the House’s Commission I of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).

Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) cofounder and military observer Khairul Fahmi said that when appointing Perkasa, Jokowi did not put age and active period as his main considerations. It means that the same pattern to find Andika’s replacement could still be applied. Considering this, he said, Yudo would have the biggest opportunity as the next TNI chief as long as he has yet to retire. During Jokowi’s administration, there has never been a TNI chief from the navy.

“Although there is no normative provision that requires alternating among the three services sequentially, it does not mean that it is unimportant for consideration. Do not let the appointment create a hidden conflict, which later on has the potential to spark vulnerabilities for TNI solidarity, especially national stability. The president also has aspirations to build a maritime axis. If we look at the dynamics of the strategic environment, in the future we will clearly face many challenges and threats in the waters that require readiness,” he explained.

President’s consideration

Nevertheless, Fahmi said, the TNI chief appointment was the president’s prerogative right and there were many aspects and national interests that he would consider.

“Whoever is deemed as the most appropriate [candidate], there is no reason not to be proposed. This is entirely the right of the president. Of course, the president is also fully responsible for the proposal,” he said.

Perkasa will enter his retirement age on December 21, 2022. Referring to Article 53 of Law No. 34/2004 concerning the Indonesian Military, soldiers carry out their service up to a maximum age of 58 years for officers and 53 years for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. On December 21, 2022, Perkasa will turn 58 years old.

Of the three existing candidates for the TNI chief, Prasetyo only has an 11-month term of service. The average maturity is November 2023.

Next year is crucial for TNI

Since next year is a political year – as political parties and presidential candidates are gearing up for mass campaigns – President Jokowi must consider the readiness of TNI and the National Police to ensure national stability. If there was a sudden change in the military structure at that time, there might be internal conflict within the TNI. Many fear that the appointment of the new TNI chief will happen next year and TNI would not be ready to face the 2024 General Elections. There is also fear that the military will be infiltrated by political interests.

The new TNI chief must focus on his duties. He must also be able to accommodate all dimensions within the military as well as ensuring their functions. The president also needs to consider the aspects of the service period, TNI solidarity and also the president’s intention to strengthen Indonesia’s maritime axis.

Correspondent IBP

Journalist

yan

Editor

 

Interview

SUBSCRIBE NOW
We will provide you with an invoice for your reimbursable expenses.

Free

New to Indonesian market? Read our free articles before subscribing to the premium plan. If you already run your business in Indonesia, make sure to subscribe to the premium subscription so you won’t miss any intelligence & business opportunities.

Premium

$550 USD/Year

or

$45 USD/Month

Cancelation: you can cancel your subscription at any time, by sending us an email inquiry@ibp-media.com

Add keywords to your market watch and receive notification:
Schedule a free consultation with us:

We’ll contact you for confirmation.

FURTHER READING

A defense analyst says the Ministry of Defense’s plan to procure two Fast Missile Boats (KCR) from Turkiye as part of the measures taken by President Prabowo Subianto to set an example for domestic defense industry to improve the quality of its products.
The Indonesian Navy and the Russian Navy held a joint exercise in Indonesia on Monday, November 4, 2024, the first held ever such military exercise between both nations.
Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Erick Thohir, has again proposed the merger of several state-owned companies in the food, logistics, infrastructure and construction clusters.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital has temporarily deactivated 11 employees following their detention by police over involvement in illegal online gambling activities. This measure marks the ministry’s first step in reinforcing its commitment to institutional integrity and credibility amid rising digital crime.
An energy expert and senior economist has called for a just and orderly energy transition in Indonesia in light of a recent global study that emphasized the need for countries worldwide to triple their renewable energy capacity by 2023 in order to stay align with climate target.
The Indonesian Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (Bappebti) has introduced new regulations under Regulation No. 9/2024, allowing institutional investors to enter the crypto market through registered Physical Crypto Asset Traders (PFAK). This policy is viewed as a step toward making Indonesia a key crypto hub in Asia and has received a positive response from industry leaders.