Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) serves as a pillar of Indonesia's sovereignty, the guard of territorial integrity, and an institution protecting the country from all forms of interference and threats, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin stated.

The vice president made the statement on a post of the social media account of the Vice Presidential Secretariat (Setwapres) on the occasion of the 78th Anniversary of TNI.

"I would like to thank all TNI personnel for the hard work and sacrifices you made in safeguarding and protecting the unity of the Republic of Indonesia that finds its foundation in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution," he noted in a caption of a photo posted on the setwapres.ri Instagram account on Thursday.

In the photo caption, VP Amin also urged TNI, as the guardian of Indonesia's security, to continue to adapt to the current era of rapid changes and affirm its commitment to warding off various forms of attacks and threats, including disinformation, data leakage, and the spread of radical beliefs.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) chaired the 78th Anniversary Ceremony of TNI in the National Monument square, Jakarta, on Thursday, during which he made a similar statement.

"Thank you to all TNI soldiers for your dedication, valor, professionalism, and devotion. You are the vanguards of the country's defense that protect the people and safeguard the Republic of Indonesia, Pancasila, and the 1945 Constitution," he remarked during the ceremony.

Jokowi also conveyed his best wishes to TNI on his Instagram account through an illustration that depicts the president and soldiers of TNI's three forces making a salute.

The illustration also displays TNI's main weapon system equipment, such as patrol boats, tanks, and fighter jets.

"The Indonesian Defense Forces have always been the vanguard that protects the nation from every threat, challenge, obstacle, and interference," Jokowi noted in the illustration's caption.

He remarked that TNI is the guardian of the country that can ensure the smooth running of practices of democracy in the upcoming political year for the sake of making Indonesia an advanced country.

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Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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