CNN Indonesia
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2024 21:04 IWST
President Joko Widodo (right) shakes hands with Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto (left) during a meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (11/10/2019). (ANTARA PHOTOS/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Military observer and senior researcher at Marapi Consulting Beni Sukadis proposed the President Joko Widodo to review the granting of special promotions for the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto.
Beni questioned the basis for granting this special rank. He assessed that Prabowo did not fulfill the requirements stipulated by law.
“The granting of honorary ranks needs to be reviewed more carefully, whether it is appropriate or just part of Jokowi’s efforts to maintain influence over Prabowo as elected president,” Beni told CNNIndonesia.comTuesday (27/2).
He said the awarding of honorary military ranks was regulated by Government Regulation Number 36 of 1959. Recipients must have contributed to bringing progress or providing benefits to the armed forces as a whole.
Beni questioned Prabowo’s contribution to defense and security. According to him, Prabowo’s achievements while he was defense minister did not meet the requirements.
“Of course this is a problem when our national defense is still not optimal in maintaining national sovereignty, especially from various non-traditional threats, such as smuggling of goods, theft of fish from foreign vessels, territorial violations and other threats,” he said.
Beni also questioned Prabowo’s track record in the New Order. He brought up the Decree of the Officers’ Honorary Council (DKP) number KEP/03/VIII/1998/DKP.
In the letter, TNI Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto as the officer under investigation was advised to impose administrative law in the form of being dismissed from military service. This decision was made on August 21 1998 and was signed by the Chairman of the DKP, General TNI Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo.
“That’s why I’m actually asking what the actual benchmarks are for someone to meet the requirements to be entitled to this honorary rank,” said Beni.
Previously, the TNI announced the award of an honorary military rank to Prabowo. The TNI said President Jokowi would hand over the rank directly to Prabowo tomorrow.
Spokesperson for the Minister of Defense Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said Prabowo would assume general status after the appointment.
“The award of full generalship to Pak Prabowo is based on Pak Prabowo’s dedication and contribution so far in the world of military and defense,” said Dahnil in a video shared, Tuesday (27/2).
Meanwhile, Member of Commission I DPR RI Maj. Gen. TNI (ret.) TB Hasanuddin criticized the awarding of the honorary rank of four-star general to Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.
Hasanuddin said that currently in the military there is no longer an honorary rank. According to him, a TNI soldier who excels in his duties or makes a service can be given a badge of honor or service according to the law.
“In the TNI there is no term honorary rank,” said Hasanuddin in his statement, Tuesday (27/2)
Rank rules within the TNI, he explained, are regulated in Article 27 of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI. This article does not regulate promotions for officers or soldiers who have retired from service, except for titular ranks which are given temporarily to citizens who are required and willing to carry out the required duties of the position.
“In Law 34 of 2004 there is no promotion from retired military officer to retired military officer. Moreover, since the enactment of the TNI Law, this no longer exists as in the New Order era,” said Hasanuddin.
Meanwhile, he continued, honorary ranks could indeed be given, but only to active soldiers or officers. This is regulated in Law Number 20 of 2009 Article 33 Paragraph 3.
“It needs to be underlined in Article 33 paragraph 3a which reads “special appointment or promotion” is for active or non-retired soldiers. For example, from Colonel to Brigadier General or from Lieutenant General to General because of success in carrying out their duties. Not for retirees or retirees. TNI,” said Hasanuddin.
The TNI itself emphasized that Prabowo Subianto had never been fired from military service.
Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Nugraha Gumilar, said this when asked about the validity of giving Prabowo an honorary military rank. CNNIndonesia.com asked about Prabowo’s status referring to decision letter number KEP/03/VIII/1998/DKP.
“According to presidential decree number 62 /ABRI/ 98 dated 22 November 1998, the contents of the decision were to honorably discharge and receive pension rights, there are no words for dismissal,” said Nugraha via short message to CNNIndonesia.comTuesday (27/2).
(dhf/pmg)
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2024-02-27 14:04:21
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