Chairman of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) was appointed as an Honorary Citizen of the Marine Corps. In addition, he also received an Honorary Brevet Anti-Terror Aspect of the Sea and Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance.
It is known, Bamsoet is the 41st Marine Honorary Citizen as well as the first chairman of the MPR RI to hold this title.
The award ceremony with a series of war simulations was held on Damar Island, Thousand Islands on Tuesday (24/1). The ceremony was chaired by TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono as Ceremony Inspector and Marine Corps Commander Maj. Gen. TNI (Mar) Widodo Dwi Purwanto as Ceremony Commander.
"It is an honor as well as an honor to receive this award, which is not merely an acknowledgment of integrity and dedication in carrying out state duties. More than that, this inauguration as an honorary citizen also implies a mandate and responsibility, to implement the spirit of corps and emulate the spirit of service to the Corps soldiers. Marines, who are always ready to sacrifice body and soul for the integrity and glory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," said Bamsoet in his statement, Wednesday (25/1/2023).
The award ceremony procession began with a journey using the Republic of Indonesia Warship (KRI) Parang 647 from the Military Sea Crossing Command Headquarters in the Tanjung Priok area of Jakarta to KRI Banda Aceh 593 which was in the middle of the sea. Then switch to using LVT 7 tanks from the middle of the sea to Damar Island, by conducting Amphibious Assault war simulations and close combat in the forest to take over Damar Island which is controlled by the enemy, as well as simulating direct air attack operations (SUL).
After receiving a briefing from the Jalamengkara Detachment Commander (Denjaka), Colonel Mar Samson Sitohang, Bamsoet and the Marines entered the Damar Island forest area. He also fired live bullets and took part in a bomb detonator detonation simulation.
The Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party said he was proud of the strength of the Indonesian navy. He said the Indonesian Navy is ranked fourth in the list of world naval forces released by the World Directory of Modern Military Warships.
Nevertheless, Bamsoet encourages that in the future the ranking can be increased, given Indonesia's very strategic position.
He said Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world with 17,508 islands, and has a coastline of 99,083 km, or the second longest in the world after Canada. In addition, Indonesia's sea area is also the 6th largest in the world, after France, the United States, Australia, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
"These conditions necessitate that Indonesia really needs a strong navy. It consists of professional, competent and militant human resources, as well as defense equipment support which is not only adequate in quantity, but also ready to be operationalized, and not forgetting the modernization aspect so that it can adapt to technological advances," explained Bamsoet.
The Deputy Chairperson of FKPPI also appreciated the contribution of the Marine Corps which was not only manifested as the Main Command of Operations for the TNI to maintain the defense and security of strategic territorial areas. But also as the Main Command for the Development of the Indonesian Navy which is tasked with fostering maritime strength and potential to become a respected maritime force of defense and security.
Bamsoet revealed that based on historical records the role of the Marine Corps has always been part of the solution to various social problems. For example, in handling the impact of natural disasters through various humanitarian social actions, as well as assisting search and rescue operations in various accident incidents.
"In the international arena, the Marine Corps also carries a good name and maintains the authority of the state, in its participation as a world peacekeeping force, to carry out one of the mandates of the Constitution, namely to participate in carrying out world order based on freedom, eternal peace and social justice," concluded Bamsoet.
In addition to the award as an Honorary Citizen of the Marine Corps, Bamsoet has also previously received similar awards from the TNI and Polri. Among others, Honorary Wing Pilot Class 1 from the TNI-Air Force (2021), Honorary Citizen of the Submarine Unit from the TNI-Navy (2020), Honorary Citizen of the Brimob Corps (2020), and Honorary Citizen of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) (2020 ).