TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, political observer from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said President Joko Widodo made a rather poor decision by appointing Ryamizard Ryacudu as the Defense Minister as the former Army Chief of Staff has some negative points.
Ikrar said Ryamizard’s integrity towards maritime science is questionable. He said maritime science is extremely needed to support Jokowi’s maritime spirit.
Ikrar then accused Ryamizard as a very anti-foreign person. “He claims all NGOs are foreign accomplices,” said Ikrar on Sunday, adding that Ryamizard’s stance will harm Indonesia’s sovereignty in foreign relations.
Ikrar continued that Ryamizard is a person who emphasizes field experiences. He said Ryamizard had reportedly repatriated a military officer for learning too many formal sciences outside military. “Soldiers who have great knowledge in science can actually be useful for the military,” he said.
ANDI RUSLI