Admiral Yudo Margono replaced his predecessor, General TNI Andika Perkasa, who served as Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces from 2021 to 2022.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated and took the oath of office of Admiral Yudo Margono as the new commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), on Monday (19/12/2022), at the State Palace, Jakarta.

On the occasion, President Widodo stressed the importance of the TNI to maintain neutrality so that it does not fall into practical politics, as general elections will take place in the near future.

The TNI and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) are also asked to continue to increase synergy in order to maintain a conducive situation in the country and not fall into practical politics, said the president.

"Political stability, and security stability are important in the framework of our country's development, in the context of our economic growth in an uncertain situation due to global uncertainty," he said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo asked the TNI Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, to maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and the unity and integrity of this archipelagic country.

"I have ordered the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces to first protect the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and secondly to protect our cohesion and unity," the president said.

In addition, the head of state also left a message to the TNI Commander to increase the professionalism of TNI soldiers so that public trust in the TNI, which is currently already high, can be maintained.

"Public trust in the TNI is currently the highest, this trust must be maintained continuously with professionalism within the TNI which must continue to be improved," he noted.

Giving a statement after the inauguration ceremony, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono said that he would immediately carry out a number of tasks that President Widodo had entrusted to him.

"The first task is to protect sovereignty, to maintain unity, to maintain the image of the TNI which is the people's trust. Of course that will be my priority,” Yudo said.

Yudo also promised to carry out his duties and uphold the ethics of his position as TNI commander.

"That in carrying out my duties, I will uphold the ethics of the office, work to the best of my ability and with a sense of responsibility. That I will uphold the soldier's oath," he said.

Admiral Yudo Margono replaced his predecessor, General TNI Andika Perkasa, who served as Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces from 2021 to 2022.

Reporting by Indonesia Window