Army to be neutral in upcoming elections

Pewarta : Reported by Gembong Ismadi

Army to be neutral in upcoming elections

Army`s chief of staff, General Mulyono while visiting the Mechanic Infantry Battalion 741/Garuda Nusantara in Jembrana, Bali. (Antara Bali/Gembong Ismadi/wdy/2018)

Negara (Antaranews Bali) - The Indonesian army (TNI) will be neutral in the next simultaneous regional elections later this year.

Army`s chief of staff, General Mulyono, said on Saturday that TNI`s neutrality is absolute in politics although some army members may take part in the elections.

"Although there are candidates from TNI, their involvement is based on procedures and regulations. Soon after they enter politics, they would not be related to TNI," he stated while visiting the Mechanic Infantry Battalion 741/Garuda Nusantara in Jembrana, Bali.

He noted that TNI`s role in politics is clear, which is that TNI is neutral, adding that TNI has already informed about it and monitored its implementation down to the lowest level in connection with the election.

He remarked that TNI`s neutrality is absolute in politics and is non-negotiable and, in connection with, that he has produced rules and regulations for members to adhere to.

In view of that, he called on all parties to not be worried about TNI`s stance with regard to the participation of some members in the elections as candidates for governors, mayors, or district heads.

A total of 171 regions across Indonesia will conduct elections to choose 17 provincial governors, 35 city mayors, and 129 district heads in June.

Regarding his visit to the Mechanic Infantry Battalion 741/Garuda Nusantara, he revealed that it was part of his working program to visit units that he has not yet visited.

In a meeting with the personnel of the battalion, he briefed them on what to be achieved and improved in 2018.

"Programs that have not yet been fully carried out would be completed this year, because this year, we will face bigger challenges in connection with the development of the situation," he asserted.

One of the programs to be carried out was supporting food resilience, which, according to him, has to be preserved after Indonesia was able to be self-reliant, he pointed out. (WDY)
Editor: Edy M Yakub
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