The Leaderboard: Ade Supandi

The Leaderboard profiles the people behind the policies of the Asia-Pacific.Who is he?

Admiral Ade Supandi was until recently the general chief of staff of the Indonesian armed forces. He previously served as commander of the Western and Eastern fleets and governor of Indonesia’s naval academy. Ade hails from Bandung in western Java and has received some training in the United States and Australia.

Vice Admiral Ade Supandi, Chief of the General Staff of the Indonesian Defence Forces, right, receives an EUNAVFOR crest from Major General Martin Smith in October 2014. Source: EU Naval Force Media and Public Information Office, used under a creative commons license.

Ade Supandi, right, as Chief of the General Staff of the Indonesian Defence Forces, receives an EU NAVFOR crest from Major General Martin Smith in October 2014. Source: EU Naval Force Media and Public Information Office, used under a creative commons license.

Why is he in the news?

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on December 30 inaugurated Ade as the new chief of the Indonesian Navy, replacing Admiral Marsetio who hit mandatory retirement age. The Indonesian Navy has taken on greater importance under the Jokowi government, as the new president vowed to turn the archipelagic nation into a maritime power both commercially and militarily.

What can we expect from him?

Ade will play a critical role in overseeing the expansion of Indonesia’s naval fleet in accordance with the “Minimum Essential Force” plan, an overhaul directive signed into law by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2009, and helping build Indonesia’ new Coast Guard in the coming years. Expect him to take a forceful stance on the ongoing crackdown on illegal fishing in Indonesian waters and advocate for a larger budget for the navy, which has historically taken a backseat to the more powerful army.

Share

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *