Military Chiefs of Staff Affirm Readiness to Support New Normal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian army, navy, and air force chiefs of staff affirmed their readiness to support the government's efforts to carry out new normal adaptations in the public.

Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Andika Perkasa, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono, and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo stated at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java on Sunday that the soldiers will enforce discipline in public life more actively in accordance with health protocols to ensure community members remain productive and safe from COVID-19.

"The Indonesian Navy will surely assist the acceleration of COVID-19 handling. It is now the stage for disciplining the community, and we will surely be more active as well, especially the personnel in the field to help local governments to discipline the community," said Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono.

A similar statement was also made by Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo who affirmed the readiness of the forces he led to assist with several matters related to COVID-19 handling.

Aside from discipline enforcement among the public, the Indonesian Air Force is also supporting medical supplies delivery to all areas across the country.

"For the Indonesian Air Force, we remain ready to assist, for example, we carry out the delivery of medical equipments to all parts of the country where there are air bases and airports. We also continue to carry out air operations, as we must maintain the sovereignty of the country's territory," Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo stated.

Meanwhille, Army Chief of Staff General Andika Perkasa explained that President Joko Widodo had specifically requested the army to emulate the achievements of Former Army Chief of Staff General Pramono Edhie who had just passed away. The president also prayed for the deceased and expressed his gratitude for all his services.

"Mr.President specifically expressed his condolences for the death of the Former Army Chief of Staff, Military General Pramono Edhie Wibowo. He expressed his gratitude for all his services, also expressed hope that the family remained strong and the army could emulate what Pramono Edhie could achieve while he served as Army Chief of Staff," General Andika Perkasa explained.

On Sunday morning, Indonesian President Joko Widodo invited the Military Chiefs of Staff to exercise in the Bogor Presidential Palace area, West Java.

Additionally, the President conveyed his message to the Military Forces to continue to assist in enforcing discipline among the public, ensuring that they abide by the health protocols.

The President stressed that disciplined practice of the protocols is very necessary in order to ensure that people can remain productive, while staying safe from COVID-19 transmission.

ANTARA