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TNI Embedded with Society, Bringing Smiles and Loves

Wednesday, 31 March 2021 - 23:37
TNI Embedded with Society, Bringing Smiles and Loves The process of the lapen road work in Botolinggo was carried out by TNI soldiers. (Foto: Penrem 083/Bdj for TIMES Indonesia)

TIMES SINGAPORE, JAKARTA – One afternoon on Tuesday (9/3/2021), the rain had slightly obstructed the eye view. In an inhabitable rickety hut, an elderly woman appeared coming out of the kitchen, which is approximately seven steps from the living room of the hut.

The rickety hut is located in Klekean Village, Botolinggo District, Bondowoso Regency, East Java. The occupant is named Toyamah. She is about 60 years old.

At that moment, Toyamah's face appeared happy because the rickety hut was surrounded by dozens of Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers, in striped uniforms. The soldiers who bring smile and love to Toyamah intends to renovate Toyamah's hut so that it is habitable.

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Toyamah stands around the TNI soldiers in front of his rickety hut (Foto: Penrem 083/Bdj for TIMES Indonesia)

The condition of Toyamah's hut is indeed close to the cowshed which she takes care of every day. Next to the cowshed, there is a sandstone that forms a mini basin filled with water. The sandstone is a place for rainwater, which Toyamah used for bathing and washing needs.

"I usually use this place for bathing and washing," admitted Toyamah.

The sandstone is only surrounded by a cover cloth. While the hut is really small. Standing half upright from woven bamboo and wood, there is not a single building made of cement. In Madurese, the hut is called a tabing house.

In that hut, Toyamah lived with her family of three people. Her husband and two grandchildren. Four souls take shelter in one small hut which is only divided by a wood separating the living room and bedroom. In the back, there is only a small kitchen without a roof.

This atmosphere and life have been lived by Toyamah and her family for 15 years. Their life is really just all alone. Toyamah's hut has never been renovated. If rain comes, it will be both disastrous and happy for Toyamah family. Disastrous because the hut is leaked, and happy, because the sandstone next to her hut can be filled with rainwater.

Everyday, her activity is to take grass in the forest and rice fields far from the hut. She ngarit (gather grass) for a cow that she cares for. Toyamah also works as a farm worker. The income is just enough for basic daily needs.

When her hut is approached by a group of TNI soldiers, Toyamah's eyebrows almost knit together, because she did not expect to be visited by TNI soldiers whom she had never known. The presence of the TNI soldiers brought happy news for the Toyamah family.

"Engghi kaso'on Cong (yes, thank you, Son). Thank you, Sir. Kaule seneng (I'm happy),” said Toyamah to TNI personnel who came to renovate Rumah Tidak Layak Huni (RTLH or Inhabitable House) in the 110th TNI Embedded to Build Up the Villages (TNI Manunggal Membangun Desa or TMMD) program.

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TNI members are currently renovating Toyamah's inhabitable house (Foto: Penrem 083/Bdj for TIMES Indonesia)

According to Toyamah, the arrival of TNI personnel in her village with the 110th TMMD Program brought new hope. Because the TNI soldiers came with happy news full of smiles and love, Toyamah admitted that she was very happy and did not feel afraid that there were many soldiers in her house.

"Not afraid. Pekus ben open kabbih tentaranah (All the soldiers are kind and friendly)," said Toyamah, using Madurese language, while being interpreted by the Head of Klekean Village, Sulatis, to Indonesian language.

So that was the life and condition of Toyamah's hut. She is one of the residents targeted by TMMD for RTLH development. After being built, Toyamah hopes that her new house can be well occupied by her children and grandchildren, and at the same time become her only inheritance.

Toyamah admitted that what happened to her will always be remembered, she will never forget it. She will continue to commemorate the services and assistance from the TNI until the end of her life. Prayers of Toyamah and her family will continue to flow for the TNI.

"Hopefully the TNI will continue to stand with the people. Like one skin. When the people were pinched, the soldiers could too feel the pain," said Toyamah in the Madurese language.

The figure of Toyamah is a figure of a poor family who receives the benefits of the TMMD 110 Kodim0822 / Bondowoso. Moreover, there are 61 other families who are become the target for TMMD house renovation program in 2021, in Botolinggo District, which are in Penang Village and Klekean Village.

According to the Head of Klekean Village, Sulatis, the average background of the RTLH program recipients is from pre-prosperous family. Their work is not far from shepherds, farm workers and home industry (IRT).

Sulatis recounted that Klekean Village is a village that had been expanded since 2004. In the last two years, this village with a population of 1,400 households is a underdeveloped village.

"The entry of TMMD is a solution to catch up with development, both physical and non-physical. This village needs equity, ”said Sulatis enthusiastically.

The most important obstacles, he continued, are road access and the availability of clean water. To support that, TMMD 110 will build 7 water reservoirs, road widening, paving, renovating the mosque, inhabitable houses, construction of security posts and gate.

"Part of the widening and construction of roads is the access to connect between villages and between hamlets. A road widening of 250 meters along 4.7 kilometers connects the next village, namely Penang Village," explained Sulatis.

In line with him, the Regent of Bondowoso, KH Salwa Arifin, confirmed that the two villages in Botolinggo were mentioned very precisely to become the target of TMMD 110. In fact, he asked TMMD to be held annually by rotating each village according to the priority scale.

The presence of the TNI was welcomed by the Bondowoso Regency Government. This support is a form of synergy between the government and the TNI-Polri, which he said had been very well intertwined.

"The people is very responsive and enthusiastic. I hope that Botolinggo can be more advanced because those two villages are one of the underdeveloped villages," said the number one person in that Gerbong Maut City.

The man who grew up in the pesantren environment stated that TMMD was able to fulfill the wishes and expectations of the villagers. The Regent said, only TMMD could go through the isolated regions.

Botolinggo district itself has eight villages. It is about 25 kilometers to east from the heart of the city. About 30,753 people spread across 101 hamlets with a total of 69 RW and 295 RT.

According to Danrem 083 / Baladhika Jaya Colonel Inf Irwan Subekti, the 110th TMMD is not only targeting two villages in the Kecamatan Botolinggo, Bondowoso. But they also went to Harjomulyo and Mulyorejo Village, Silo District, Jember. Under Kodam V / Brawijaya itself, there are a total of five target areas for TMMD, including Bondowoso and Jember.

"TMMD has been running for 41 years since 1980. It used to be called ABRI Masuk Desa or AMD. TMMD is a cross-sectoral program. The TNI synergizes with the Polri, the Regional Government and other stakeholders," explained Danrem.

He said, there are two segments of development that are focused on, physical and non-physical development. The two segments are carried out in mutual cooperation and blend in the life of the villagers.

"The soul and spirit of the TNI must be united with the people. That is the manifestation of the slogan of the TNI together with the people. History records that the TNI was indeed born from the womb of the people. Commander-in-Chief General Soedirman said, the relationship between the TNI and the people is like fish and water. Fish cannot live without water. It is the people who conceive, care for and raise the TNI," he said.

Irwan hopes, that the TMMD program with the theme "TMMD Wujud Sinergi Membangun Negeri" can increase the level of social welfare through accelerated development. So that the poverty could decrease significantly.

"Because this is the condition of the Covid-19 pandemic, TNI soldiers in the field are also disseminate health protocols and campaigns for healthy living. We simultaneously convey to the public that the vaccine is safe and lawful," he said.

Kapenrem 083 / Baladhika Jaya Mayor Inf Prasetya HK explained, the target of physical development in Botolinggo includes the construction of 62 inhabitable houses, 2 units of mosque reservoirs, 5 units of public reservoirs, renovations of 2 mosques, construction of 2 security posts, 1 gate and paving roads repairs.

Meanwhile, the physical construction of the road is the widening of the axle road with a width of 3 meters and a length of 200 meter. Plus the macadam penetration layer for environmental roads is 2.5 meters wide and 200 meters long. Also equipped with the construction of a macadam penetration layer for a public road 3 meters wide and 300 meters long.

He detailed that there are hundreds of TNI personnel who were deployed in the 110th TMMD program. They are also assisted by Polri and Regional Government, both the Bondowoso and Jember Regency Government.

"During their 30 days of service in the field, soldiers who are members of the 110th TMMD Task Force were released and stayed in several houses of local residents. Not only doing physical development, they also provide insight into nationality and live in harmony with the community," he explained.

Prasetya added that the physical targets in two villages in Silo District, Jember Regency include the renovation of 20 units of inhabitable houses, 20 latrines, 5 toilets, renovation of 2 mosques, 2 units security post, and widening of the 4 meters road along 1 kilometer.

If in the past the pre-prosperous community reached thousands, now with the 110th TMMD, they can be counted on one hand. Even nothing in the hand alias is as expected. The TNI will bring into the world the new Toyamah in a many other areas. (*)

Writer : Mohammad Naufal Ardiansyah
Editor : Ronny Wicaksono
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