A number of surveys have shown that the level of public trust in TNI is very high. For example, the survey of Indonesian Political Indicators (IPI) on June 24 showed that public trust in the TNI has reached 93.2 percent.
TNI has achieved a satisfactory level of public trust of 93 percent, the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) said on August 31.
Based on a survey conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on September 27, support for and satisfaction with TNI's performance towards upholding democracy has reached 93.5 percent.
The high level of public trust and satisfaction is a solid foundation for the TNI to continuously improve its professionalism, which, from time to time, has faced many challenges.
On the commemoration of the TNI’s 77th anniversary, TNI Commander, General Andika Perkasa, asked TNI soldiers to maintain the people's trust by performing their work based on the Tugas Pokok TNI or TNI's main duties.
The motto of the TNI's 77th anniversary was "TNI is Us,” and that must be used as a momentum for TNI to get closer to the people as the defence force was born and has thrived on account of the people.
The close relationship between TNI and the people has been evident in TNI's involvement in efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in helping enforce the health protocols and carrying out vaccinations for remote communities.
"TNI is also helping security in the distribution and acceleration of vaccine administration to the community. TNI is also actively carrying out social services in the community, from distributing essential goods to helping repair damaged infrastructure," Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Bambang Soesatyo said.
TNI is also supporting regional development, Speaker of the Bogor district Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), Rudy Susmanto, remarked in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday.
"The TNI has a role in Bogor district’s development, not only about security, but also issues of health, education, culture, economic resilience, and also helping us in realizing decent infrastructure for the community," he said.
Improving professionalism
In addition to being close to the people, the Indonesian military must improve professionalism in the face of increasingly complex global challenges.
"Amid the nation's complex challenges, I ask TNI to continue to improve professionalism. TNI must continue to meet the Minimum Essential Force (MEF)," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said at the commemoration of TNI's 77th anniversary at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday (October 5).
Not only that, the improvement of TNI's strength needs to be in line with national development.
Widodo emphasized that the government, society, nation, and state have high hopes for TNI's contribution. "Continue to uphold the identity of the TNI as a people's army, a heroes' army, a national army, and a professional army," the President remarked.
TNI must also be the frontline for dealing with every threat, challenge, and obstacle faced by the country.
"Behave and act professionally, in accordance with Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, Sapta Marga (soldiers' guidelines), and the soldier's pledge," the President said.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani said that the realization of an ideal military defense cannot be achieved in a short time.
MEF realization has to be adjusted to the country's finances, she added. Even so, the House, proportional to its authority, is continuing to strive to provide support to TNI in realizing the MEF guideline, she said.
The House is putting its best efforts to provide adequate budgeting to the TNI so that the TNI's MEF can be ideal for protecting the large territory of the republic.
The TNI MEF development is being implemented through four strategies, which include revitalization, re-materialization, relocation, and procurement.
Currently, MEF has entered Phase III, which is targeted to reach 70 percent by the end of 2024. The fulfillment of Phase III was preceded by MEF Phase II achievement, which reached around 62 percent of the 74.62-percent target.
The TNI's 77th anniversary is also a momentum for TNI leaders to resolve internal challenges, such as improving soldiers' welfare, quality, and solidity, as well as maintaining TNI neutrality in the 2024 political year.
The House, on its part, has committed to providing a budget solution to improve the welfare of TNI soldiers.
House member Christina Aryani said that the improvement of soldiers' capabilities and capacities must be continued to face the current dynamic and strategic environment.
The capacity and capability of TNI soldiers in terms of military and academic knowledge, as top human resources, must be paid attention to.
"With great (TNI) human resources, we believe that soldiers will be able to use the latest military technology, such as unmanned systems, namely robots and artificial intelligence, as well as (engage in) cyber defense. It is important for tamtama (lower-ranking non-commissioned officers) and bintara (non-commissioned officers) to have the ability to speak English," Aryani said.
As the political year approaches, the TNI must work to uphold the soldier's oath of remaining neutral to politics.
"The TNI is a pillar supporting sovereignty, guarding territorial integrity, and protecting the country from all forms of disturbances and threats," Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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