State Defense Program is Important, says Minister Tjahjo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo gives his support for the state defense program proposed by the Defense Ministry, saying that the program will provide knowledge about nationalism and Pancasila values to the people.

“This understanding is important for all Indonesians to have more understanding and think more comprehensively,” said Tjahjo on Friday.

Tjahjo said the Home Affairs Ministry and the Defense Ministry had discussed this program when they were attending a meeting with the Association of Indonesian Regional heads. The Defense Ministry will train the government and local figures as well as youths about nationalism through the state defense program.

The Home Affairs Ministry will also provide similar training through local social and political chiefs.

The Defense Ministry will carry out the state defense program for Indonesians from kindergarten-level to 50-year-olds. The legal basis for this program is Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution and Defense Law No. 3/2002 which stipulates that every person has the right and obligation to defend the state.

State Defense Program director First Adm. M. Faisal previously said that the state defense system would be implemented in four points, which are civic education, basic military practice, becoming the National Armed Forces (TNI), and training according to each profession.

TIKA PRIMANDARI