We discussed it earlier and proposed it to the House of Representative."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Army Chief of Staff General Gatot Nurmantyo was chosen as the candidate for the post of the commander of the National Defense Forces (TNI) to strengthen the military organization, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said.
A member of the presidents communications team, Teten Masduki, pointed out in a press statement on Wednesday that President Joko Widodo prioritized the strengthening of the military to deal with changes in geo-political, geo-economic and geo-strategic circumstances.
"The president hopes the House of Representatives approves his selection of General Gatot Nurmantyo as the new Indonesian military chief to replace Moeldoko, whose term ends on August 1," Masduki stated.
"According to article 10 of the 1945 Constitution, the president is the highest authority over the army, navy and air force. Therefore, in accordance with article 13 of act number 34 of 2004 on the military, the president has the authority to appoint and dismiss the TNI chief," he explained.
Earlier, Vice President Jusuf Kalla had noted that the selection of Army Chief of Staff General Gatot Nurmantyo as the candidate for the TNI chiefs post had been discussed with President Jokowi.
"We discussed it earlier and proposed it to the House of Representatives," the vice president affirmed after opening a meeting of national coordination officers here on Wednesday.
Kalla added that President Jokowi was, indeed, prudent about selecting the best figure as the candidate for the post of the TNI commander.
Jokowi proposed General Nurmantyo as the candidate for the TNI commanders post as he wanted to select the best and most capable figure, according to Kalla.
In addition, Speaker of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan assessed that Army Chief of Staff General Gatot Nurmantyo was the right candidate to serve as the next TNI commander.
"I know General Nurmantyo. He is very professional and has several achievements to his name," Hasan stated.
He also did not object to the selection of the general, who hails from the army.
"The appointment is the presidents prerogative," he remarked.
Hasan added that the selection of General Nurmantyo as the candidate to serve as the next TNI commander will not lead to disunity within the TNI.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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