Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD noted that the call for state apparatuses' neutrality has been mandated by the law and instructed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
"The law demands that the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Polri (the National Police), and civil servants be strictly neutral. The president has repeatedly emphasized this matter," Mahfud remarked in Jakarta.
He stated that during the general election national consolidation in Jakarta on December 30, President Jokowi had pushed all officials of the General Elections Commission (KPU) stationed across Indonesia to ensure their neutrality.
TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Polri Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, and Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin attended the consolidation event.
"On that occasion, the president placed emphasis on the importance of civil servants, the TNI, and Polri genuinely maintaining neutrality. As the top security minister, I would like to further underscore the importance (of neutrality) to the public," Mahfud said.
He affirmed that any neutrality violations will be dealt with firmly, adding that the House Representatives have formed a working committee to oversee the neutrality of the TNI and Polri.
Meanwhile, the TNI has established posts to receive complaints about alleged violations committed by its officers, he remarked.
Mahfud stated that people can file complaints on election violations, including those involving state apparatus, to the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).
As for ethics violations committed by KPU and Bawaslu officials, the people can submit reports to the General Elections Organizer Honorary Council (DKPP), he revealed.
He said that the government would always monitor all complaints received from the public and noted that his ministry has formed a task force that works to oversee whether the people's complaints are properly addressed.
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Translator: Genta T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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