Indonesian Army Has Established 155 Territorial Development Battalions Across Indonesia
The Indonesian Army (TNI AD) has confirmed that it has successfully established 155 Territorial Development Battalions (YTP) out of a target of 593 YTP across Indonesia.
“The development process is proceeding gradually and continuously, in line with the established plan,” said the Head of the TNI AD Information Service (Kadispenad), Brigadier General TNI Donny Pramono, when confirmed by Antara in Jakarta on Thursday (23/4).
Donny stated that the construction of YTP is currently one of TNI AD’s strategic programmes because it can benefit many aspects.
Several main benefits, according to Donny, include assisting regional economic development and infrastructure up to strengthening national defence in the areas.
On that basis, Donny explained that YTP are deliberately built in several regencies or cities in the regions, especially in border areas, so that the wheels of village economy and infrastructure development can run.
To date, Donny continued, TNI AD has undertaken several efforts to catch up with the YTP development target, one of which is by preparing locations and supporting infrastructure to support YTP development.
“TNI AD is gradually preparing land and supporting facilities for YTP development, so that the development process can run more optimally,” said Donny.
Donny hopes that all levels of TNI AD can synergise well in completing the YTP development target across Indonesia this year.
The government, through Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, previously targeted the construction of 500 territorial development battalions over five years across Indonesia. Each year, 100 development battalions will be formed.
Based on information from the Ministry of Defence, the formation of 500 battalions is said to receive budget support from the Ministry of Finance.
The Defence Minister stated that the territorial development battalions will support government programmes. So far, 100 battalions have been formed.
“The Ministry of Defence and TNI ensure that the Territorial Development Battalions will support downstreaming programmes. Securing downstreaming programmes and also securing self-sufficiency programmes,” said Sjafrie.
In the territorial battalion structure, there is a health company. The presence of the health company is considered crucial as a form of readiness to face future biosecurity threats.