Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) chaired a meeting here on Tuesday to discuss the modernization of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and Police.

The meeting at the presidential office started at 1:45 P.M. local time and was attended by Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhi Purdijatno, TNI Chief General Moeldoko, Deputy Police Chief Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti, Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasona Laoly, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, and Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto.

Earlier on Tuesday, the President held a meeting with TNI officers at the State Palace, according to Andi Widjajanto.

"The President discussed with all chiefs of staff from the TNI Headquarters the defense budget of Indonesia, which will be increased from Rp102 trillion to Rp200 trillion in 2017 if the countrys economic growth reaches 7 percent," the cabinet secretary noted.

They also discussed efforts to improve the welfare of military officers, he added.

TNI Chief General Moeldoko remarked that the President invited them to luncheon because he wanted to know the TNIs high-ranking officers better.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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