Jakarta. The Indonesian government’s initiative to provide motorcycles to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel assigned to rural communities, known as Babinsa, has significantly improved their ability to reach remote areas.

Since its launch in 2022, thousands of motorcycles have been distributed. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is set to be inaugurated as Indonesia's eighth president, announced plans to gradually provide a total of 75,000 units of both gasoline-powered and electric motorcycles for Babinsa across the nation.

“All Babinsa and military command posts will receive motorcycles. Strengthening and developing territorial capabilities is a crucial aspect,” Prabowo said alongside President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo during a motorcycle distribution event at the Selong Belanak Military Post, some time ago.

Wage Rudolf Supratman, Commander of the Praya Barat Military District in West Nusa Tenggara, acknowledged the significant impact of this motorcycle assistance. “Mobility has become more effective in carrying out our duties,” he said.

For instance, Babinsa are using the motorcycles to transport sick residents to the nearest community health center (puskesmas), overcoming challenges posed by remote and distant locations.

“Thank you Mr. Prabowo, with these motorcycles, we can reach areas that were previously difficult to access,” he added.

Prabowo is scheduled to be inaugurated on Oct. 20, replacing President Jokowi, whose term has ended. Although Prabowo previously competed against Jokowi in the presidential elections of 2009 and 2014, Jokowi shifted his support to Prabowo in the 2024 elections. The former army general has pledged to continue the flagship programs initiated during Jokowi's administration while also introducing his own initiatives.