TNI Launch Konga Stamps As Tribute To Peacekeeping Role

Jakarta, Oct 18 (Antara) - The Indonesian military (TNI) on Friday launched a series of stamps to highlight the Garuda Contingent`s (Konga) role in U.N. peacekeeping operations. The stamp series was launched by Garuda Contingent TNI chief Gen. Moeldoko in the presence of the Director General of Post and Information Provider (DG PPI) of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Sukri Batubara, and the Director of Human Resources of PT Pos Indonesia, Entis Sutisna, at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. The Garuda Contingent stamp series was launched in collaboration with PT Pos Indonesia and the Ministry of Communication. This is the second time stamps on the military have been issued after the launch of the TRIKORA struggle series in 2010. According to the TNI Chief Gen. Moeldoko, the launch of the stamps will showcase the role of the Indonesian military in the world`s peacekeeping missions. The day of the launch will mark the start of the military`s work towards promotion of nationhood and nationalism through the stamps, Moeldoko said. The stamps serve a two-dimensional function - as marks of payment and as vehicles that convey the various interests of the community, national messages, and the broadening Indonesian insight, he added. In the world of philately, stamps appear to record the nation`s milestones. Through stamps, one can see the milestones reached as the Indonesian nation has raced to build itself. The Konga stamps also represent the Indonesian people`s pride in and love for the nation`s professional military. The issue of the Konga stamps is an advanced non-physical struggle, much like the one carried out by the military through the issuance of stamps in Solo, Central Java. "Pride and belief in the greatness of our nation must continue to be nurtured, especially for the present generation, which has a tendency to leave its stamp in the means of communication that leads to correspondence, which leads to education and our (resultant) historical values," said Moeldoko. TNI chief expressed hope that the stamps will remain in circulation and PT Pos Indonesia will not have to withdraw them citing practical concerns.