NO TNI SUPPORT WHATSOEVER FOR RETIRED GENERALS IN ELECTIONS

Jakarta, Feb 12 (ANTARA) - The National Defense Forces (TNI) Headquarters will not give any moral or other support to retired generals intending to contest the upcoming presdiential election, a spokesman said.
Chief of the TNI Information Center, Rear Marshal Sagom Tamboen, told the press here on Thursday the TNI high command had asked all parties, including retired servicemen planning to run for president or vice presdeint and their families "to respect the TNI's neutrality."
"Thus, it is impossible for the TNI to support (former TNI commander) Wiranto, a presidential aspirant, in the election because he has retired from the TNI," Sagom said, adding that the TNI was committed to neutrality in the general elections.
He said it was "quite natural" for retired generals with presidential aspriations such as Wiranto and Sutiyoso to solicit the support of sercicemen and their families. "But every individual has his or her own judgement and choice," Tamboen added.
After a seminar and workshop in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday, Wiranto, as leader of the People's Conscience (Hanura) Party, asked TNI soldiers, retired servicemen and their families to give their votes to Hanura Party in the general elections.
Wiranto and Sutiyoso had also met with TNI Chief Gen Djoko Santoso at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.