Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Moeldoko conducted an impromptu visit on Friday, now popularly known as blusukan, to several military commands in Greater Jakarta to check on the army’s preparedness in securing the upcoming presidential election.
In the morning, Moeldoko, along with his entourage and journalists, headed to the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta.
The general walked to the facility’s front post and ordered the soldiers on guard to prepare the troops. A siren rang, prompting scores of Kopassus personnel who were exercising in the main field to quickly don their uniforms and pick up their weapons.
Moeldoko was pleased to see that all Kopassus soldiers, including those from the Kopassus 81 Anti-Terror Unit, had lined up in less than 15 minutes.
According to the general, Kopassus serves as the third layer of military forces tasked with addressing critical situations that may occur in the run-up to the presidential election on April 9. The first and second layers are military commands at the regional and city levels.
“If the third layer is ready like this, I’m sure the first layer will be more prepared,” Moeldoko said. “The public should not be concerned with the election, I guarantee that all TNI forces will be ready to protect the public and guard the election.”
Moeldoko’s second stop was at the Marine headquarters in Cilandak, South Jakarta, where around 2,000 soldiers quickly lined up with their weapons and tanks.
“In less than 20 minutes, all soldiers and weaponry were ready. I’m proud,” he said.
The general spent time listening to some marines, who asked for new parachutes, boats and heavy artillery.
“We lack inflatable boats. For each unit, we need 20 boats,” a soldier said.
When another soldier asked for a remuneration increase, Moeldoko responded: “The TNI commander keeps pushing for that. Currently, the remuneration stands at 37 percent. It all depends on state finances. Keep working hard and praying.”
While at Kopassus headquarters, Moeldoko paid a visit to the soldiers’ housing complex where he met Devi Mufmita, the wife of infantry captain Langgeng Pujut Santoso.
Langgeng has taken part in UN peacekeeping operations in Lebanon in the last five months.
Devi, who is eight-months pregnant, asked the general to give a name to her unborn child, a request that was welcomed warmly by Moeldoko.
“I give the first name of Chandrasa, meaning potent weapon [senjata pamungkas],” he said.
Through a Skype video chat, Moeldoko asked Langgeng to keep focusing on his peacekeeping duties.
“Your wife will soon give birth. Do not worry. Everything will be okay, the chiefs will pay attention to that. Please send my regards to all soldiers there,” he said.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/03/tni-chief-conducts-blusuka...
