IO – Indonesian President Joko Widodo, a.k.a. Jokowi, inaugurated General Andika Perkasa as the Commander-in-Chief of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (11/17/2021).
The inauguration is based on Presidential Decree No. 106/TNI/2021 on the Dismissal and Appointment of the TNI Commander, enacted in Jakarta on Nov. 17, 2021.
After the oath-taking ceremony, a procession of pinning the commander rank and passing the TNI Commander-in-Chief’s baton was conducted by President Jokowi. Distinguished guests witnessing the inauguration include Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Coordinating Politics, Legal and Security Minister Mahfud MD, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin, the fifth Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar and Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.
After being inaugurated by the President, TNI Commander-in-Chief General Andika Perkasa declared that he would continue the programs of his predecessor, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto. “In general, we will continue the work program as we have a limitation on space. The tasks are already outlined in Law No. 34/2004,” he said.
He emphasized that he would vigorously perform his duties as TNI Commander-in-Chief while carrying out evaluations and improvements. “So, I will continue (the programs), but the details of each task may
need a little evaluation and improvement here and there,” he explained.
He said that he was honored to gain the trust of President Jokowi and the support of the DPR to serve as TNI Commander-in-Chief. “To all TNI soldiers throughout Indonesia, I want us to be part of ourselves, of us all, among our family, friends, and relatives. Because we are a part of them,” he said.
At a previous Plenary Meeting of the House (11/8/2021), Army Chief of Staff General Andika Perkasa was approved as TNI Commander-in-Chief. He succeeded the former Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.
General Andika Perkasa was born on Dec. 21, 1964. He graduated from the Military Academy in 1987 and was appointed as the Chief of Army Information Service in November 2013, gaining the rank of Brigadier General. In October 2014, Andika was promoted to Commander of the Presidential Security Force, replacing Major General Doni Monardo. He was promoted to the rank of Major General.
Then in May 2016, he was appointed Commander of the XII/Tanjungpura Military Regional Command. In January 2018, he was promoted to Commander of the Army Doctrine, Education and Training Leadership Command with the rank of Lieutenant General.
After six months, in July 2018, he was transferred to become the Commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command, replacing Lieutenant General Agus Kriswanto. In November 2018, Andika Perkasa officially became a 4-star general, after President Jokowi inaugurated him as the Army Chief of Staff, replacing General Moelyono. (Eka)