"The TNI, in general, and the Army, in particular, must be neutral, because the TNI is an element of security during the election, so it must not be influenced by any party and candidate. The TNI must remain neutral and strictly loyal to the nation," Abdurachman remarked here on Tuesday.
After the session to inaugurate him as professor at the Military Law College, he said that the TNI soldiers along with the National Police will secure the implementation of the election.
He expressed hope that all soldiers would not be involved in the interests of any election candidates.
The TNI neutrality has been in the spotlight for weeks, especially after President Joko Widodo appointed General Agus Subiyanto, who is currently the Chief of Army Staff, to replace Abdurachman.
Not long after Subiyanto officially took office as the Chief of Army Staff, President Widodo proposed his name as the sole candidate for the post of TNI commander to replace Admiral Yudo Margono, who will retire soon.
Head of the Center for Intermestic and Diplomatic Engagement (CIDE) Anton Aliabbas stated that independence and neutrality would be Subiyanto's toughest challenge during his tenure as Chief of the Army Staff and later if he passes the tests required to be a TNI commander.
"Subiyanto should be able to show a strong commitment to ensuring the neutrality of the TNI in the 2024 presidential election," Aliabbas stated.
He said that the TNI must show and apply its neutral stance seriously.
"If there is an active soldier, who influences others to make one of the contestants win, it will have a bad impact on the military organization," he stated.
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Translator: Genta M, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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