"Please defend the presidential and vice presidential candidates you support, but do not undermine and insult each other. Conduct political campaigns that are civilized, ethical and elegant," the East Java regional military commander Major General Eko Wiratmoko said to newsmen here on Wednesday.
As a junior member of the military (TNI), he admitted he was concerned to see a number of retired army generals acting so bizarrely in their political activity, unveiling the shame of the TNI.
He referred to the circulation of a document depicting the recommendation of the Honorary Council of Officers to dismiss Prabowo Subianto from the military, though the document was supposed to be confidential.
Prabowo Subianto, who is a retired lieutenant general, is currently running for president.
"I hope my seniors will quickly become aware of (the impact of) their actions and will not be easily pitted against each other by people outside the TNI. In the end, it is the TNI institution that will be affected," he said.
He noted that a soldier must continue to hold fast to his oath even after he has retired and gets involved in politics.
"As common members of the TNI, they must preserve their spirit of solidarity. They asked their men to remain steadfast while they were commanders, but now, they are competing to unveil their shame and are fighting with each other. Why didnt they do this before?" he asked.
General Eko claimed that his military command was ready to assist the police to ensure the security of the presidential election, scheduled for July 9 in the region.
"We have prepared around 2.5 thousand personnel. If the number is considered insufficient, we are ready to increase it," he remarked.
He said security conditions in the region have so far remained good, and he hoped this will continue until the election.
Two pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates will compete in the election. They are Prabowo Subianto, with Hatta Rajasa as his running mate, and Joko Widodo, who pairs with Jusuf Kalla.
Prabowo Subianto is a former military commander, while Hatta Rajasa is the former chief economic minister of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonos Cabinet.
Joko Widodo, or Jokowi as he is popularly called, is the Jakarta governor, while Jusuf Kalla, or JK, used to be President Yudhoyonos vice president.
Reporting by Didik Kusbiantoro
(H-YH/INE/A014)
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
