Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has lauded Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) for supporting an increase in the budget of the ministry and the national defense forces for the 2023 fiscal year.

"Thank you for the support of Commission I of the House of Representatives, which has fought for and supported the needs of the Defense Ministry and the National Defense Forces," Subianto said at a meeting with Commission I, during which the 2023 work plan and budget of the Defense Ministry and the national defense forces were discussed.

Both the entities are committed to prioritizing domestic products, in accordance with government policies, he added.

Member of DPR’s Commission I, Yan Permanes Mandenas, asked for an increase in the budget of the ministry and the military forces in 2023, saying the allocation of Rp130 trillion for next year is still meager, particularly for the modernization of the main weapon system equipment.

"Commission I of the House of Representatives supports an increase in the budget for the Defense Ministry or national defense forces related to the current global geopolitical conditions. The additional budget must be paid attention to by the government because the defense equipment needs modernization and purchases," Mandenas said after the meeting.

With a minimal budget, Indonesia would not be able to meet its defense equipment needs in the next two to three years, he opined.

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The performance of soldiers at the regional level is also not being supported by adequate defense equipment, so the government needs to pay attention to meet these needs, he pointed out.

“(The budget for the Defense Ministry/national defense forces for the 2023 financial year is) Around Rp130 trillion, but hopefully, there will be addition. The budget is divided among five (entities) those being the Defense Ministry, National Defense Force Headquarters, Army, Navy, and Air Force," he informed.

An improvement in defense equipment is necessary because Indonesia shares its borders with other countries, so there could be threats from people who do not like the unity and integrity of Indonesia, he said.

The meeting on Monday was also attended by National Defense Force Commander, General Andika Perkasa; Chief of the Army Staff, General Dudung Abdurrahman; Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Yudo Margono; and deputy chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal A. Gustaf Brugman.

The working meeting on Monday was conducted to complete the discussion of the budget for the Defense Ministry and the National Defense Force for 2023, which needs to be approved by Commission I before it is reported to the Budget Agency.

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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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