The alleged involvement of a number of retired officers, according to Hadi, would not disturb the cooperation built between TNI and Polri.
"As it is known, the solidity of the TNI-Polri continues to run well," Tjahjanto said in Jakarta on Thursday.
He noted that the retired military officers were no longer part of TNI, as they have returned to being civilians upon completing their military duties.
However, according to Tjahjanto, he maintains communications with retired officers.
Previously, the police named former army general Kivlan Zen as a suspect in a treason case, in regards to the “people power” rallies held after the elections.
Zen, along with Major General (ret) Soenarko, were also suspects in attempted murder cases involving four high ranking national figures, including Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan and Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Minister Wiranto.
"We continue to communicate with him (Zen) to maintain the unity (of TNI-Polri), but TNI does not interfere in the legal process, because it is in the civilian domain," Tjahjanto noted.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Police Chief General Tito Karnavian said the importance of building solidity with the TNI is to ensure the unity of the republic, despite some discomfort.
However, based on the principles of equality before the law, every case against retired military or police officers must be addressed based upon the law, he added.
Kivlan Zen is being detained for 20 days in the POM Jaya Detention Center, Guntur, South Jakarta.
As for Soenarko, he is suspected of smuggling illegal firearms and is being held at the National Police Headquarters in the Guntur Military Detention House.
Karnavian said that Zen and Soenarko were being investigated in different cases. He speculated that Soenarko's case can still be resolved by deliberation.
"Somewhat different from the case of Mr. Soenarko, this weapon was clearly owned by him when he was in Aceh, then taken to Jakarta. As in the case of Mr. Kivlan Zen, the grade is different, so I think there can still be room for communication in this problem of Mr. Soenarko," Karnavian said.
Translator: Ricky Prayoga/Yashinta Difa Pr
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
