"The TNI is neutral in the implementation of the 2019 legislative and presidential elections," Tjahjanto said in his remarks during the launch of a counterterrorism exercise in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Tuesday.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto has reasserted that the nation's military will remain neutral during the forthcoming 2019 simultaneous legislative and presidential elections.
"The TNI will continue to adopt a neutral stance in the implementation of the 2019 legislative and presidential elections," Tjahjanto noted in his remarks during the launch of a counter-terrorism exercise in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Tuesday.
The TNI politics is state politics, so its personnel will steer clear from supporting any party in the elections, he remarked.
The TNI is prepared to ensure security during the implementation of the 2019 elections and will undoubtedly take on any party harboring malicious intentions to hinder political stability and implementation of the election process in the country, he stated.
"The TNI will confront all those parties attempting to threaten political stability and democracy, de-stabilize the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), weaken Pancasila (state ideology), contradict the spirit of the 1945 Constitution, and undermine 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' ('Unity in Diversity' national slogan). I reaffirm, the TNI will go loggerheads against such parties," Tjahjanto emphasized.
The TNI commander has sought the public's participation and cooperation to assist in maintaining peace during the implementation of elections.
Indonesia will hold nationwide simultaneous legislative and presidential elections on April 17, 2019.
Translator: M Arief Iskandar, Fardah
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
