"The commemoration of National Defense Day is a momentum to unite and contribute positively for the target of being advanced Indonesia," Setonya remarked while presiding over the 75th National Defense Day ceremony at the Presisi Field here on Tuesday.
He also put the spotlight on President Joko Widodo's mandate, which reminds that the challenges ahead are invisible threats.
"The challenges ahead are increasingly unpredictable. We not only face physical threats but also invisible threats, such as pandemics, global conflicts, and technological revolutions, to the climate crisis that have brought risks to national defense," he pointed out.
In his mandate, the president also called on all components of the nation to have the spirit of defending the country.
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He said the spirit of defending the country is the main pillar that makes a country tough and smart in facing uncertain situations.
"The spirit of defending the country is not only the responsibility of the defense apparatus but also requires the active participation of all elements of society. This is a joint task in maintaining the unity and solidity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," Setonya said while reading the President's mandate.
According to Presidential Decree No.28 of 2006, Indonesia celebrates National Defense Day every December 19.
Cited from the official website of the Ministry of Defense, the determination of December 19 as National Defense Day was motivated by a strong reason, namely the Dutch military aggression II on December 19, 1948.
The commemoration of National Defense Day aims to enable all Indonesian people to remember the history of the nation's struggle to defend the republic.
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Translator: Ilham K, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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