ID :
43448
Fri, 01/30/2009 - 22:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/43448
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TNI REMAINS SOLID IN RUNUP TO GENERAL ELECTIONS: CHIEF
Jakarta, Jan 30 (ANTARA) - Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso said the TNI had up to now remained solid in the face of the general elections to be held later this year.
"We remain solid. The various issues that have arisen in society have not affected TNI's neutrality," Santoso said after inaugurating the TNI's Center for Strategic Studies here on Friday.
He said the TNI's neutrality with regard to the general elections was final so that TNI would not take sides with any political party or presidential candidates.
"Since 2004, the TNI has decided to adopt a neutral stand and not to be involved in practical politics. So, it will not back any political party and any presidential candidate," he said.
On the sanctions against TNI personnel who are not neutral, the TNI chief said the TNI already had a mechanism and procedures to take actions against TNI personnel who were not neutral.
"We will look at it first whether or not we need to set up a military ethics council (DKP). We have heard no such information so far. But we will take notice of what the president has indicated. I have to pay attention to and supervise it," Santoso said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated on Thursday he had received information that certain individuals in the TNI and National Police (Polri) might be engaged in practical politics.
The president made the statement when addressing participants of TNI and Polri leadership meetings at the State Palace. He said he had received information that a number of top TNI and Polri officers had joined the "success" teams of certain presidential candidates.
"The president himself does not believe the information. Still, I have to take note of the matter and discuss it with TNI officers to determine whether the information is true," Santoso said here Friday.
"We remain solid. The various issues that have arisen in society have not affected TNI's neutrality," Santoso said after inaugurating the TNI's Center for Strategic Studies here on Friday.
He said the TNI's neutrality with regard to the general elections was final so that TNI would not take sides with any political party or presidential candidates.
"Since 2004, the TNI has decided to adopt a neutral stand and not to be involved in practical politics. So, it will not back any political party and any presidential candidate," he said.
On the sanctions against TNI personnel who are not neutral, the TNI chief said the TNI already had a mechanism and procedures to take actions against TNI personnel who were not neutral.
"We will look at it first whether or not we need to set up a military ethics council (DKP). We have heard no such information so far. But we will take notice of what the president has indicated. I have to pay attention to and supervise it," Santoso said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated on Thursday he had received information that certain individuals in the TNI and National Police (Polri) might be engaged in practical politics.
The president made the statement when addressing participants of TNI and Polri leadership meetings at the State Palace. He said he had received information that a number of top TNI and Polri officers had joined the "success" teams of certain presidential candidates.
"The president himself does not believe the information. Still, I have to take note of the matter and discuss it with TNI officers to determine whether the information is true," Santoso said here Friday.
