Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chief of the Presidential Staff (KSP) Moeldoko urged members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) to carry out the mandates of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), especially regarding food and neutrality in the political year.

"As the chief of the Presidential Staff, I will oversee and ensure the mandates of the president are carried out in the field," he remarked after accompanying President Jokowi attending the commemoration event of the 78th anniversary of TNI here on Thursday.

At the event, held at the National Monument (Monas), President Jokowi mandated all TNI members to have awareness and sensitivity regarding food issues, as they can affect the stability of the Indonesian nation.

The president also advised TNI members to maintain their neutrality in facing the 2024 General Elections, scheduled to be held on February 14, 2024, with around 204.8 million voters.

Regarding food issues, Moeldoko emphasized that the TNI should be able to understand the current global situation wherein the food crisis is a central issue.

"TNI must contribute to solving the issues of food, so that they can be solved as well as possible," he remarked.

Meanwhile, in the context of politics, Moeldoko urged the TNI to maintain professionalism during the elections, maintain the political process to run peacefully, and prevent divisions among people due to differences in political choices.

"Be the TNI that is professional and neutral in general elections," he stated.

Moeldoko, who earlier served as commander of the TNI from 2013 to 2015, expressed hope that at the age of 78, TNI could become even greater, more professional, and loved by the Indonesian people.

The anniversary of TNI is commemorated every October 5. This year, TNI's anniversary is commemorated with the theme of "TNI the Patriot of the Republic of Indonesia, the Guard of Democracy for Advanced Indonesia."

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Translator: Rangga Pandu, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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