Chairman of DPD Appreciates TNI's Role in Sumatra Flood Recovery

The Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, has conveyed appreciation to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) for their active participation in the construction of hundreds of bridges and in the process of recovering from the Sumatra flood disaster.

The former Deputy Governor of Bengkulu stated that the active role of TNI personnel in assisting people in regional areas represents a manifestation of the TNI’s dedication and love for the Indonesian people and nation.

“We observe that the TNI is not only active in protecting the nation’s defence and sovereignty, but is also effective in promoting the speed and accuracy of realising government programmes in accordance with the expectations of communities in the regions,” said Sultan in a statement on Tuesday (10 March).

Sultan added that as long as the TNI possesses commitment and deep understanding of the socio-economic life of the people down to village level, the TNI has become integrated with the people.

“On behalf of the DPD RI institution, we express our gratitude for the active participation and hard work of TNI personnel in several government priority programmes, including the free nutritious meal programme (MBG), Red and White Village Cooperatives, forest area enforcement, and regional infrastructure development programmes for roads and bridges following natural disasters,” he said.

Furthermore, Sultan stated that the DPD RI is institutionally ready to collaborate with the TNI institution on the agenda of overseeing regional development and national resilience in the regions.

“The DPD RI and TNI share the same constitutional responsibility in safeguarding national unity,” he concluded.