Army Chief Inaugurates Boreholes and Distributes Social Aid During Toba Visit
Army Chief of Staff (Kasad) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, accompanied by the Chairwoman of Persit Kartika Chandra Kirana, Uli Simanjuntak, conducted a working visit and pilgrimage to the ancestral tomb of the Simanjuntak clan, Oppu Sobosihon Boru Sihotang. During the visit, Maruli also inaugurated boreholes and distributed various forms of social aid for the community, centred in Hutabulu Mejan Village, Toba Regency, North Sumatra, on Tuesday (9/6).
The occasion was not merely a working visit, but also a meeting point between cultural values, service to the nation, and development that touches the basic needs of the community. For the Batak people, honouring ancestors is not just a ceremonial tradition. It is also where messages about education, hard work, and service are passed down across generations. These are the values that General Maruli reaffirmed.
‘I have been planning for quite some time to attend and participate in this extraordinary Batak tradition. There are many lessons that can serve as provisions for life. One thing I always remember is the Batak people’s spirit for education. That spirit must continue to be passed on to the younger generation,’ said Maruli. He also reflected on his life journey, which was not always easy. The various challenges he once faced became motivation to keep striving until he was entrusted to lead the Indonesian Army.
According to him, the most meaningful development is that which can be directly felt by the community. For this reason, the Army continues to develop programmes for providing clean water, building simple infrastructure, and renovating uninhabitable houses. ‘The clean water programme is not only for daily needs, but also to support agriculture and improve community welfare,’ he stated.
Through the designed programme, Kasad Maruli also brought assistance for renovating uninhabitable houses, aid for building places of worship, and various other social assistance to the community. Samosir Regent Vandiko T. Gultom expressed that Kasad’s presence in the Lake Toba area not only brought physical aid, but also demonstrated that development can occur through collaboration among various parties. Vandiko acknowledged that the benefits of the borehole programme initiated by Kasad have been felt by the people of Samosir.
Through communication and synergy built between the Samosir Regency Government and the Army, a total of 30 borehole units have been allocated and constructed in various areas of Samosir Regency. ‘We appreciate the attention and care of Mr Kasad towards the community in Bona Pasogit. The borehole programme and other programmes are a tangible form of the state’s presence in improving the people’s welfare,’ said Vandiko.
Vandiko added that regional development does not solely depend on the fiscal capacity of the local government. The ability to build networks and strengthen synergy with the central government, the military, and various stakeholders is an important part of accelerating the delivery of development benefits to the community. Therefore, he hopes the collaboration established with the Army can continue so that more programmes can be felt by the people of Samosir, particularly in the clean water sector, basic infrastructure, and improving citizens’ quality of life. ‘On behalf of the government and the community, we are proud to receive borehole assistance from Mr Kasad. Hopefully, more programmes can be brought to Samosir in the future,’ said Vandiko.