In a message delivered by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Widodo said that the army and the people must unite to jointly defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to guard the Indonesian people against various threats.
"The concept of universality needs to be implemented in practice by increasing the role and participation of every citizen as a reserve component, as part of the universal people's defense, and security system, which can be mobilized at any time for the sake of national defense," Minister Subianto said while reading the President's message in Batujajar, West Bandung district, on Friday.
According to him, the reserve component has 3 divisions that have been designed to carry out a layered defense strategy and enlarge and strengthen the TNI's capacity.
Komcad can be deployed and mobilized if the country is in a state of military emergency or a state of war caused by threats such as invasions from other countries.
Widodo said that Komcad is a step to strengthen the community's deterrence and the nation's deterrence, to become aware of any potential threats, prepare anticipatory measures as early as possible, and continue to raise awareness on defending the country.
"National defense cannot be carried out only by military forces. It is also the duty and obligation of all Indonesian citizens. Therefore, the people, the government, and all elements of the state must work together to build a strong node to manage the nation's defense resources," he added.
According to him, the reserve component comprises strong and tough soldiers who wish to prove their love for the nation and country.
"I ask you to continue to spread the values of nationalism, love, and pride for the country as widely as possible on various occasions. Show that Indonesia has a strong and tough defense," he emphasized.
The regulation of Komcad has been stipulated in Law Number 23 of 2019 concerning the Management of National Resources for National Defense.
"And, of course, in line with the mandate of the Constitution to realize the defense, in which all citizens have the right and obligation to participate in defending the country," Widodo said.
The government has added 8,574 Komcad members in 3 years — 3,103 in the first batch in 2021, 2,974 in 2022, and 2,497 in 2023.
Of the 2,497 new members in 2023, 500 will be deployed to the Navy (450 men and 50 women), 500 men will be sent to the Air Force, and 1,497 will be attached to the Army.
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Translator: Ricky Prayoga, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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