RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture by General Moeldoko, Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces

Lecture Abstract:

The Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) has evolved into a more professional military, thanks to the reform it has enacted since the post-Soeharto era.  However, new challenges from both the domestic and external spheres will undoubtedly rise as domestic and regional dynamics evolve over time. In addition, with the recent inauguration of President Joko Widodo, there would be a paradigm shift of the TNI to fit the President’s goals and policies.  What are the major challenges that the TNI would have to face in the near future?  What can be done to overcome these challenges?  What is the future shape of TNI considering Joko Widodo’s vision of Indonesia as a global maritime nexus?

We are privileged to have General (TNI) Dr. Moeldoko, Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces, to share his thoughts on future challenges that the TNI will have to face in both the domestic and regional spectrum.

About the Speaker:

General (TNI) Dr. Moeldoko has held the highly-venerated TNI commander position since 30 August 2013.  Previously, he served as Indonesia’s Army Chief of Staff in 2013.  In his career, he also served in various capacities as Army Deputy Chief of Staff; Deputy Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas); as well as Army Regional Commander (Pangdam) of XII/Tanjungpura (West Kalimantan province and Central Kalimantan province) and III/Siliwangi (West Java province and Banten province).  Gen. Moeldoko obtained his doctoral degree in public administration from the University of Indonesia in 2014.  He graduated from the military academy in 1981 as its best graduate and was awarded the Adhi Makayasa medal.

Gen. Moeldoko received many other honours throughout his outstanding career in the military such as the Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama award (Army Meritorious Service Star, 1st class).  In 2013, Gen. Moeldoko also received the prestigious Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) from the Singapore government in recognition of his significant contributions in forging close relations between the Indonesian Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces.