National Defence Programme and Reserve Component to Potentially Involve More Community Organisations
The National Reserve Agency (Bacadnas) has officially opened the door for youth organisations to actively participate in strengthening national resilience. This strategic move begins with a plan to involve Pemuda Panca Marga (PPM) in the Bela Negara (National Defence) and Reserve Component (Komcad) programmes.
The synergy emerged during a meeting between Bacadnas leadership and the Central Board of PPM at the Bacadnas office in Salemba, Jakarta, on Thursday (18/6).
Bacadnas Chief, Lieutenant General Gabriel Lema, welcomed the readiness of the veterans’ family organisation to contribute to the country. “In this day and age, we rarely hear of selfless good deeds. I am very heartened to see PPM still actively and enthusiastically doing good for the community without expecting anything in return,” Gabriel said while receiving a presentation from PPM administrators.
Gabriel assessed that community organisations with extensive cadre networks reaching down to the regions, such as PPM, have great potential to support government programmes. He instructed his staff to immediately follow up on technical coordination so that the collaboration can be realised promptly. “Immediately operationalise and synergise PPM’s strength under Bacadnas programmes,” he stressed.
PPM Chairperson Patriani Paramita Mulia affirmed that as descendants of veterans, PPM members have a moral responsibility to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty. PPM has been active in various social, educational, and disaster response activities. “We are ready to be professionally deployed and included in Bacadnas programmes,” Paramita said.
During the meeting, PPM administrators presented their structured cadre system. Secretary General Moch Taufik explained that the command structure of the Yudha Putra Regiment is already coordinated with TNI units in various regions. PPM members also receive specialised training involving official institutions.
The meeting was also attended by senior Bacadnas officials, including Secretary Air Vice-Marshal Novlamirsyah, Head of the Veterans Centre Brigadier General Asep Tardiana, Head of the Bela Negara Centre Brigadier General Parluhutan Marpaung, and Head of the Reserve Component Centre Brigadier General Hengki Yuda Setiawan. A representative from the Central Board of the Veterans Legion of Indonesia (LVRI), as the main patron of PPM, was also present.