KSAD Becomes Deputy of the Covid-19 Handling Committee, Mahfud: TNI involvement is needed

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said, the involvement of the TNI and Polri in handling Covid-19 when this is very necessary.

This was conveyed in response to the appointment of the Army Chief of Staff ( KSAD) General TNI Andika Perkasa as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee for Handling Covid-19 and National Economic Recovery.

According to Mahfud, the involvement of the TNI and Polri in the Covid-19 issue does not matter.

“Because the Covid-19 attack is very massive and must be handled together and this is for humanity. The TNI in its law does have tasks other than war,” Mahfud said in an online press conference on Saturday (8/8/2020) .

“Such as (for example) community service, community development. So far, and incidentally, the involvement of the TNI and Polri is urgently needed,” Mahfud said.

Also read: Army Chief of Staff General Andika Perkasa Becomes Erick Thohir’s Deputy in the Covid-19 Handling Committee

Mahfud gave an example, without the involvement of the TNI and Polri, public order in the war against Covid-19 would be tough.

Primarily, if there is no one to secure violations on the road, there are crowds, guarding houses of worship and markets to avoid crowds and so on.

“That’s where we then attract Polri and TNI personnel. Moreover, the TNI and Polri have fast fleets, if necessary, usually their organizational systems are already so strong,” he said.

“If the commander has said this, it will immediately be fast. Including, for example, picking up all Indonesian citizens abroad, the TNI, the aircraft then taking medicine, also using the Navy ship,” said Mahfud.

Also read: Erick Thohir: PNS and BUMN Employees Cannot Get BLT IDR 600,000 per month

He also said that the involvement of the Army Chief of Staff in handling Covid-19 was aimed at helping a number of technical matters.

Mahfud assessed that technical matters would be difficult if only carried out by the existing bureaucracy.

“For example, there are those who are confused about the list, some have not arrived, some are diverted here and there. Now the TNI and Polri are included to be quick,” he said.

“As well as safeguards in the community regarding health protocols, so far the Police and the TNI have been included,” said Mahfud MD.

Previously, President Joko Widodo or Jokowi appointed Chief of Army Staff (KSAD) General TNI Andika Perkasa to be Deputy Chair of the Executive Committee for Handling Covid-19 and National Economic Recovery.

Also read: TNI Involvement in Enforcement of Health Protocol Law Reaps Criticism

Andika will assist Erick Thohir, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) who is also Chairman of the Implementing Committee for Handling Covid-19 and National Economic Recovery, in handling Covid-19.

“The Army Chief of Staff becomes Deputy Chair of the Implementing Committee,” said Erick after a meeting with Andika at the TNI AD Headquarters, Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Friday (7/8/2020).

According to Erick, Andika’s appointment was President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ‘s decision. The President is of the view that handling Covid-19 requires the presence of the TNI.

Also read: Draft Presidential Regulation on the Involvement of the TNI to Combat Terrorism Criticized

In detail, Erick said, the presence of the TNI was to ensure public discipline in implementing health protocols. It’s a short-term thing to do.

“Discipline is expected to secure the community. It does not mean exercising the authority to punish, but disciplining, is the main step we must take,” he said.

“The task of the TNI to maximize the level of discipline of the Covid-19 protocol in the community is maintained in 83,000 sub-districts and villages and the vaccine immunization process in the next year can run well with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Culture, PMI, and of course the Police,” said Erick.

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