"The military, police, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, civil servants and all state officials must be professional and neutral, including during elections. They belong to the people," AHY said.
He made the statement at an event marking the Democratic Party’s 25th anniversary at its headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday.
Several senior Democratic Party figures attended the event, including former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, House Democratic Party faction leader Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, Deputy Chairman Benny K. Harman and Srikandi Demokrat Chairwoman Annisa Pohan.
AHY said elections were an opportunity for Indonesians to exercise their democratic rights and choose their leaders freely.
Those rights, he said, must be exercised fully so people can choose their leaders without pressure from any party.
Therefore, security forces and other state institutions must ensure voters can exercise their rights safely and comfortably, he said.
"State facilities must be used for the people's interests, not for practical political interests," AHY added.
He urged all government institutions to uphold the integrity of elections so voters can decide who will lead Indonesia in the future.
"Whoever wins must win because they have earned the people's trust, and whoever loses must respect the people's choice," he said.
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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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