"If any of us turn hostile towards the president, I will protect him. We must respect the president. If we dont respect the president, then who else will respect the president?" Ryamizard stated here on Friday.
"I once told (former presidents) Gus Dur and Megawati that when it comes to the president, nobody can disturb or threaten his or her safety. That is what we must keep in mind," he noted.
He went on to say that relations between President Joko Widodo and National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo remained good.
If the TNI chief is hostile to the president, then he will be betraying his oath, he pointed out.
"The TNI chief is the commander. How could he be hostile to the president? That is wrong," he stressed.
President Joko Widodo had earlier assured he would not replace the TNI chief.
"There wont be any replacement of the TNI chief," the president had made it clear at the State Palace here on Wednesday (Nov 9) when he was accompanied by TNI Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo.
The president had recalled that had heard rumors that the TNI chief will be replaced.
"Thats why I invited the TNI chief here to clarify that there wont be any replacement (of TNI chief)," he emphasized. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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