Perkasa will replace Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.
The approval was announced by Commission I chairperson, Meutya Hafid, as one of the decisions taken at the commission's plenary meeting at the parliamentary building here on Saturday.
The approval was given after the commission's members heard a 30-minute presentation from Perkasa on his vision and mission if designated the TNI commander, and opinions were taken from all factions on his candidacy, he informed.
At the three-hour plenary meeting, the commission also approved the termination of Tjahjanto's leadership and lauded his dedication during his term.
General Perkasa's candidacy will later be taken up at the House's plenary meeting, Hafid said.
While making his presentation as part of the fit-and-proper test at the Commission I meeting, Perkasa affirmed that his vision was reflected in the notion of "TNI is us".
"The notion seems to be so simple but, in this context, I want our people and members of international communities to see the TNI as part of them," he remarked.
General Perkasa went through the fit-and-proper test after President Joko Widodo proposed his name as the sole candidate for the TNI commander's post.
In response to General Perkasa's candidacy, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin expressed the hope that the new TNI commander would improve upon the approaches adopted toward Papuan communities in Papua and West Papua provinces.
The approaches that Tjahjanto had applied in the two easternmost provinces had run well, he told journalists on the sidelines of his visit to Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, on Saturday.
Tjahjanto will reach the retirement age of 58 on November 8, 2021. Perkasa is expected to have "better concepts" of approaching the people for handling security matters, Amin said.
Papua has borne witness to a spate of violence against civilians and security personnel in the past two years.
Intan Jaya district recorded its bloodiest month in September 2020, with notorious armed groups launching a series of attacks in the area that claimed the lives of two soldiers and two civilians and left two others injured.
These armed groups have continued their acts of terror this year, too.
On January 6, 2021, at least 10 armed Papuans vandalized and torched a Quest Kodiak aircraft belonging to the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) at the Pagamba village airstrip.
Armed groups often employ hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel, while unleashing acts of terror against civilians to instill fear among the people.
On February 8, 2021, an armed rebel reportedly shot a 32-year-old man at close range in Bilogai village, Sugapa sub-district.
The victim, identified by his initials as RNR, sustained gunshot wounds on the face and right shoulder and was taken to the Timika Public Hospital in Mimika district on February 9.
On February 9, six armed Papuans fatally stabbed a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver.
Then, on the morning of September 13, several members of the Lamek Tablo-led separatist terrorist group reportedly torched several public facilities, including a public health center, and homes in Kiwirok.
Papuan terrorists reportedly assaulted and tortured several health workers from the Kiwirok Public Health Center. One health worker, identified as Gabriela Meilan, died while four others sustained serious injuries.
Meilan died after being tortured by the terrorists, said officials.
Related news: Next TNI commander should prioritize national interests: House Speaker
Related news: TNI-Polri synergy becomes key to tackling challenges: police chief
Related news: Military chief awards Bali Governor for PPKM success
Translator: Fauzi, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
