Indonesia taps Harvard-educated general as top military officer

Perkasa plans stronger island defenses in response to Chinese incursions

Gen. Andika Perkasa attends a U.S. Army ceremony in Virginia, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit for his exceptional meritorious service, in January 2020. (Photo provided by 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment)

KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writer

November 18, 2021 01:54 JST

JAKARTA -- Indonesia's new military commander, Gen. Andika Perkasa, took office on Wednesday as the Southeast Asian nation looks to bolster cooperation with the U.S. to better defend its remote islands amid a rise in Chinese maritime activity.

Perkasa took the oath at the presidential palace to succeed Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto as the country's top uniformed military officer.