REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Inauguration of Lt. Gen. Andika Perkasa as Army chief of staff was widely commented by the people. Some of them said Andika earned advantages as he is the son in law of former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Hendropriyono.

Some others considered Andika's career is more brilliant compared to his colleagues. They noticed that Andika served at Military Education and Training Command (Kodiklat) for six months only and at Army Strategic Reserves commander (Pangkostrad) for five months.

However, Andika claimed he is not bothered with negative comments. He did not think it was necessary to respond to those comments.

“It's ok to comment, but I don’t want to respond,” said Andika after his inauguration in State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (Nov 22).

Andika considered his appointment as new Army chief of staff purely come from president’s assessment.

“I can’t make a comment. Everything is president who decided,” Andika added.

President Joko Widodo (right) congratulates the new Army chief of staff (KSAD) Andika Perkasa after inauguration ceremony at State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (Nov 22).

As one of young generals, he was feared to have obstacles in internal communications with his seniors in Army structure. Andika said he realized the problem and would try to build intense communication.

“It’s important for me because without support from seniors. it’s impossible to walk accordingly to the direction they might expect,” Andika explained.

Andika will first conduct orientation while continuing the programs from previous leadership. He claimed that at this level there are more challenges, in terms of policy development.

“So I will study first and maybe slowly will see of there’s anything that needs to be changed, but what is clear, many thing that I will continue from Mr Mulyono leadership,” Andika said.

In this political year, Andika stressed that he will maintain public trust and the neutrality of the army. He stressed neutrality is the hope of all Indonesian people.

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