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‘TNI needs it’: Experts support revival of the deputy chief position
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At your service: Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto inspects personnel of the TNI’s Special Operations Command (Koopssus) during its launch at the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on July 30. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
T
he decision of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to reinstate the position of deputy chief of the Indonesian Military was welcome by observers, who said it was needed to improve internal consolidation.
The deputy chief position in the Indonesian Military (TNI) has been empty for around 20 years after then-President Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid removed it in 2000 to streamline the military.
So, when President Jokowi signed Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 66/2019 on Oct. 18 to reinstate the position many wondered about the reasons behind it.
Some military experts, however, welcomed the decision, saying “it’s about time for the post to return”.
Bandung-based Padjajaran University military observer Muradi said the post was needed to maintain stability and consolidation within the TNI, especially with the Army-dominated TNI currently led by Hadi Tjahjanto, an air chief marshal.
“This is one of the efforts in the defense postures development,” Muradi told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
He said the deputy commander position had become more important in September, when the TNI had announced the establishment of three new joint regional commands that combine the naval, air force and army assets.
