TEMPO.CO, Surabaya – The commemoration of the Indonesian Armed Forces’ (TNI) 69th anniversary peaked on Tuesday, October 6, 2014 at the Navy Eastern Fleet Command in the East Java’s capital of Surabaya.
An estimated 18,850 soldiers and 526 units of TNI’s primary weaponry defense system, locally known as alutsista, took part in the military celebration.
The TNI anniversary commemoration was the last one held during outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s reign.
“There will be deployment of our alutsista and this will be the largest anniversary celebration in the history of the Armed Forces,” Indonesian military commander Gen. Moeldoko said on Saturday, October 4, 2014.
Ministers of the United Indonesia II Cabinet, Police chief Gen. Sutarman, governors of Indonesia’s 34 provinces, and former presidents and vice presidents are among the dignitaries on the guest list.
“Until today, Joko Widodo [president-elect] has confirmed his arrival,” Moeldoko said.
The event kicked off at 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. local time and was presided over by President Yudhoyono.
EDWIN FAJERIAL
