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IPDN graduates obliged to join Bela Negara program: Minister
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Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo (left, front row) speaks to Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly (right) during the plenary meeting passing the Regional Elections Law at the House of Representatives on June 2. Tjahjo said on Thursday that IPDN graduates were obliged to join the Bela Negara program. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)
H
ome Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said on Thursday that students at the state-run Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) will be required to join military service as soon as they graduate as part of the government’s proposed Bela Negara (State Defense) program.
Tjahjo said each student at the school would be conscripted for the duration of eight months to obtain the skills necessary to defend the country from possible outside threats.
“At the very least, the students can later fill a [temporary] empty military district head’s position,” Tjahjo told reporters after attending an executive meeting at the Defense Ministry headquarters.
(Read also: Family says no to autopsy for dead IPDN student)
IPDN, which is managed by the ministry, has graduated many public officials.
Tjahjo said the government was working on the necessary requirements to realize the Bela Negara program.
The program was proposed to educate all citizens’ about the country’s state ideology Pancasila, nationalism and history.
Tjahjo said the program would later be incorporated into school and university curriculum to familiarize every citizen with the idea of the state’s ideology and the nation’s motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
“So do not think [the Bela Negara program means] the military will come to schools, pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) or even to the media,” Tjahjo said, emphasizing that the program was not an effort to revive military domination over civilian life. (jun)
