Army Chief of Staff Meets defense Attaches of Partner Countries

Jakarta (Antara) - Army Chief of Staff General Budiman held a meeting with the defense attachés of partner country embassies at the Headquarters of the Army in Jakarta on Wednesday. General Budiman stated that the Army will induct professionalism among its soldiers with combat training and training in the use of modern equipment. The professional Army, he added, will struggle with the Indonesian people. "The army was composed of civilian fighters, freedom fighters, and professional soldiers. The Army was formed by the people, thus the fate of the Army rests with the people," he aded. Budiman also added that the Army always gives priority to the nation, although he acknowledged the presence of undisciplined soldiers. "We do realize that out of the total 350 thousand soldiers, even if one percent were to be undisciplined, there would be 3.5 thousand people. So, the Army will improve the coaching of its soldiers," he assured. Budiman added that the Army attempts to increase the welfare of its soldiers. According to him, the budget for the Indonesian defense reached Rp86 trillion, out of which, Rp35 trillion were for the Army. The meeting of the Army Chief of Staff was attended by 32 defense attaches from the partner country embassies.(*) Reporting by Syaiful Hakim.