Entering this political year, TNI must prioritize its neutralityPangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - Commander of the Sriwijaya Regional Military Command III Major General Hilman Hadi has called on soldiers to refrain from making political comments on the social media to maintain the Indonesian Military (TNI)'s neutrality ahead of the 2024 general elections.
"Entering this political year, TNI must prioritize its neutrality," he said during his working visit to the Garuda Jaya District Military Command 045 here on Sunday.
TNI members must stay neutral in politics as mandated by the law. This means that TNI must not side with a certain political party or candidate pair in the general elections, he said.
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"I should like to affirm that all soldiers, civil servants and soldiers' wives should not make (political) comments in the social media, both in the form of statement and else, let alone supporting a certain candidate," he said.
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If a TNI soldier proves unneutral or is found sympathizing with a certain political party, then he or she will be subject to a stern sanction in accordance with the law, he said.
"We hope the public to report a TNI soldier who gets involved in politics," he said.
He further praised the public for having high confidence in TNI, which he said is the result of the hard work of TNI's ranks and files.
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Translator: Aprionis, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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