Interior Dayak Tribe Granted Privilege: Short and Tattooed Can Join TNI
President Prabowo Subianto has issued a directive to allow members of the interior Dayak tribe to become soldiers of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
The directive follows a meeting between Prabowo and the Supreme Leader of the Tariu Borneo Bangkule Rajakng (TBBR) Red Forces, Panglima Jilah, at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Friday (28/8).
Citing a post on the Cabinet Secretariat’s Instagram account, Prabowo is said to have directly instructed several matters related to Panglima Jilah’s requests. One of these concerned the desire of Dayak people to become members of the TNI and National Police, with adjusted requirements, for example regarding the use of tattoos for indigenous people.
The following day, on Saturday (29/8), Prabowo summoned the TNI Commander, the service chiefs of staff and several ministers to his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java.
“In the meeting, the President requested updates on several matters, including the adjustment of requirements related to the recruitment of interior Dayak people who wish to become TNI soldiers, the handling of several disasters including the aftermath of the earthquake in Flores, the eruption of Mount Merapi, and the handling of forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatra,” read a statement from the Cabinet Secretariat.
TNI Headquarters stated that it would follow up on Prabowo’s directive.
“All instructions and directives from the President will be followed up by the TNI,” said TNI Information Centre Head Major General Muhammad Nas when contacted on Sunday (30/8).
In principle, Nas explained, the TNI provides opportunities for all sons and daughters of the nation to serve.
“Regarding the mechanism and form of the adjustment, it will be announced after the discussion and its determination are completed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that certain privileges would be granted to members of the interior Dayak community who wish to join the TNI as soldiers.
“Oh yes, the interior Dayak tribe has been asked to be given the opportunity to join the TNI; those who are short should be given a little privilege,” said Sjafrie at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Monday (31/8).
Separately, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak added that Dayak people have essentially always been allowed to take part in TNI recruitment, including those who have tattoos as part of their tradition.
“Yes, indeed it has been allowed for a long time, there is no problem with that. Previously it was arranged that if someone has a tattoo because of tradition, it is permitted,” said Maruli.