TNI On Route to Become Predominant Force in SE Asia: Defense Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday said the government is currently focused on building its military strength, which includes increasing the Navy’s warship fleet. 

He claimed President Joko Widodo had approved and showed full support for the largest military budget allocation in Indonesia's history reaching up to Rp133.9 trillion for the 2022 fiscal year. This number is a landslide compared to the budget allocated for other state ministries. 

“President Joko Widodo has approved the largest budget allocation in maybe 40 years, or even throughout the history of Indonesia,” said the Defense Minister on January 27.

In the meeting with the lawmakers, Subianto said Finance Minister Sri Mulyani had also shown support even though each discussion was always marred with heated discussions with the state treasurer. 

“We must acknowledge that our Minister of Finance is very prudent, careful, and indeed the struggle [to have us financed] is somewhat tough but I am aware it is just their job. If they were not tough, our financial management would not be as it is now,” said Prabowo Subianto.

Through this support, Subianto assures that the Defense Ministry has been given the green light to establish Indonesia’s military as a predominant force in Southeast Asia. Especially after he claimed 50 new warships would be procured in the next 24 months. 

“Inshallah (God willing) time will show that the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) will be the strongest in Southeast Asia,” said the Defense Minister. 

Read: Defense Ministry Explains Role Of National Reserve Component

ARRIJAL RACHMAN