TNI Chief Asks Soldiers To Maintain Political Stability

Yogyakarta, June 24 (Antara) - National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Moeldoko has called on the TNI soldiers to maintain political stability ahead of the July 9 presidential election by being neutral and professional. "The TNI soldiers should remain neutral and professional in order to maintain political stability ahead of the presidential election," Moeldoko stated at Adisutjipto military airbase`s hangar of education squadron on Monday. While giving directives to the soldiers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the TNI chief remarked that some retired TNI generals were involved in the presidential election process. He added that their involvement in the political realm is natural because they are also citizens who have political rights. "But, the retired military generals should not influence the soldiers because the soldiers cannot be influenced by them," Moeldoko reiterated.