TNI delays birthday celebration

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 10/06/2008 9:55 AM  |  National

Departing from common practice, the Indonesian Military (TNI) will postpone its celebrations until after its official anniversary date, and will hold them away from the capital city.

TNI said the ceremony this year had been rescheduled to Oct. 14, or nine days after its anniversary, because of the extended Idul Fitri holiday period. The celebrations will take place at the main naval base in Surabaya.

TNI spokesman Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said on Saturday, "The peak of activities marking TNI's anniversary will occur on Oct. 14 in Surabaya."

The government set mass leave for civil servants and servicemen and women on Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. 3 to allow them to celebrate Idul Fitri in their respective home towns.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is also the supreme commander of TNI, is expected to preside over the ceremony.

It will be the second time TNI has held its anniversary celebrations at the naval base since 2003 when then president Megawati Soekarnoputri led the commemorations.

TNI usually holds a ceremony on Oct. 5 in Jakarta.

Ahmad Yani said there were no activities planned for the anniversary date, which fell on Sunday this year. But all regional military commands across the country will observe the TNI anniversary on Oct. 14.

Preparations are now underway for the major event. The spokesman for the naval base, Lt. Col. Toni Syaiful, said thousands of participating soldiers from the military would begin to stream into Surabaya on Monday.

"As soon as they arrive, they will undergo a joint rehearsal at the venue ... All preparations are expected to be complete by Oct. 12," Tony said as quoted by Antara.

As host of the event, the Navy's eastern fleet has prepared guest houses and warships to accommodate participating troops. The KRI Makassar warship, for example, will accommodate Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) personnel.

Air Force chief Marshal Subandrio said three of four Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters belonging to the military were expected to perform at the TNI anniversary, their second showcase since 2004.

"Not just two, but we expect to see three Sukhois perform at the event," Subandrio said upon inspecting the jet fighter preparations recently at Hasanuddin air base in Makassar.

Commander of the 11th Squadron at the air base, Maj. Iko Putro, said at least two Sukhois were ready to conduct a flyby during the TNI anniversary celebration, while the remaining two were undergoing regular maintenance.

Two of the four Sukhois made their debut at the major ceremony in 2004 following their purchase in 2003. They joined other Indonesian jet fighters, which included U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-5E Tigers.

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