TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) Defense Commission agreed on the Rp134 trillion 2023 budget that was proposed by the Ministry of Defense. According to Commission I legislator Dave Akbarshah Fikarno, the budget plan submitted by the Ministry was initially Rp319 trillion.

Both House legislators and the government agreed to an upper ceiling defense budget of Rp132 trillion, but eventually slightly exceeded the cap.

“The upper cap nearly reaches Rp132 trillion but there was an additional Rp2.4 trillion. This amounts to a total of Rp134 trillion,” said the legislator to Tempo on September 26.

This decision was taken by the Defense Commission on September 26 in a session held in presence of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Armed Forces Commander General Andika Perkasa, Army Chief of Staff General Dudung Abdurachman, Navy Chief Admiral Yudo Margono, and Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Marshal A.Gustaf Brugman.

Commission I legislator, Yan Permenas Mandenas, said members of the House support the increase in the budget given the current global geopolitical conditions. According to him, there needs to be a modernization of TNI's main weapons system (alutsista) to support soldiers in carrying out their duties.

"It’s unfortunate that our soldiers in the outer regions are not supported by good defense equipment," he said.

IMA DINI SHAFIRA

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