Jakarta – Army chief of staff General Ryamizard Ryacudu has revealed that army businesses, particularly those which are part of foundations “only” generate 30 billion rupiah per year. “That’s if [we’re] lucky. Perhaps this amount could decline further in the future”, he told Tempo at the army’s headquarters in Jakarta.

According to Ryacudu, the army only has six foundations at the moment. “One of them is the Kartika Eka Paksi Foundation which is charge of various types of businesses”, he said.

Speaking personally, Ryacudu said that 30 billion rupiah per year represents a large amount of money, however the amount has no meaning after it has been divided among all the army’s soldiers. “After it is divided among the soldiers it translates into 100,000 rupiah per person per year”, he said.

Because of this said Ryacudu, the profits from the businesses under the army’s foundations are prioritised for soldiers who need them most. For example he said, if there is a soldier who falls in the line of duty, of course his wife and family will need a place to live. “Similarly to make false legs for soldiers who have lost their legs while on duty”, he said on Tuesday December 22.

Ryacudu welcomes the idea that the foundations may be taken over by the government. “Right now (if asked) there’s no problem. But if there is a soldier who needs a false leg (the government) must provide for it”, he said while stressing this is for soldiers who fall while carrying out their national duty. (Dimas Adityo – Tempo)

[Translated by James Balowski.]