Mily Chief Hopes New Govt to Raises Defense Budget

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - General Moeldoko has expressed hope that the next government under the leadership of president-elect Joko Widodo will increase budget allocations to achieve the target of minimum essential force (MEF) in 2019. The National Defense Forces (TNI) has acquired only 42 percent of the military's armament systems of the MEF target, he told reporters here on Thursday. "We are in the process of becoming professional. The TNI is yet to become professional, as the need for military equipment has not been met. We, however, continue to raise the spirit of professionalism," TNI chief said. Moeldoko visited Surabaya to inspect training of TNI soldiers who will participate in the commemoration of the TNI's 69th anniversary at the pier of the Eastern Indonesian Fleet Command (Koarmatim). Accompanying the Army chief were Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia, Deputy Naval Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Didiet Herdiawan, Chief of the Brawijaya Regional Military Command Major General Eko Wiratmoko, and Chief of the Eastern Indonesian Fleet Command Vice Admiral Sri Mohamad Darojatim. Moeldoko said the amount of funds allocated to the TNI through the defense ministry over the last few years was quite large and continued to increase. Under the 2015 state budget, budget allocations to the TNI are estimated at Rp95 trillion, up Rp3 trillion compared with Rp92 trillion in the previous year, he noted. "We hope the new government will not cut the budget but increase it. We hope the MEF target could be achieved in 2019. Afterwards, we will formulate the next strategic plan. If the budget is cut, the target will be achieved behind schedule," he pointed out. To make the TNI professional, the support of adequate armament systems is mandatory, he added. (*)