Bandung — President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, affirmed that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is the “child of the people” and must be ready to lay down their lives on the battlefield in defense of the nation and its citizens.
Speaking at the Operational Troop Review and Military Honors Ceremony at Suparlan Field, Pusdiklatpassus Batujajar, West Java, on Sunday (10/8), Prabowo declared:
“Always remember, we are the people’s army. We are born from the people, we are the children of the people, we serve the people, we defend the people, and we are ready to die for our people. That is the TNI.”
Prabowo also reminded newly appointed commanders to lead with integrity and to treat their soldiers as their own children.
“Your soldiers are like your own sons. Lead them well, care for them, train them well—train them hard, but not with cruelty,” he said.
He further emphasized that the TNI must always be the front line in defending Indonesia.
“Our nation has a defense system called total people’s defense. We act solely to defend the Indonesian nation. Our vision is one of defensive defense,” he added.
During the event, Prabowo conferred the Honorary Four-Star General rank and installed General Tandyo Budi Revita as Deputy Commander of the TNI. He also awarded the Honorary Four-Star General rank to 10 recipients, the Bintang Sakti Honor Medal to 2 recipients, and the Honorary Rank to 1 recipient in recognition of their dedication and high integrity.
The ceremony also marked the inauguration and commissioning of new TNI units, including 6 Army Regional Commands, 14 Naval Regional Commands, 3 Air Force Regional Commands, 1 Air Operations Command, 6 Special Forces Command Groups, 20 Territorial Development Brigades, 1 Marine Infantry Brigade, 1 Pasgat Corps Regiment, 100 Territorial Development Battalions, 5 Marine Infantry Battalions, and 5 Rapid Deployment Force Battalions.
The troop review featured 27,384 personnel, supported by 152 tactical vehicles with 388 crew members, as well as 124 defense equipment units consisting of 34 from the Army, 24 from the Navy, and 66 from the Air Force.
