"I happen to have pre- and elementary schools, and so I wish to be not their principal but supervisor," he said with a smile after a readiness call led by defense forces (TNI) commander General Moeldoko ahead of the official announcement of the July 9 presidential election results.
General Budiman is expected to retire in two months, and three candidates have been proposed to replace him, including the commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command Lieutenant General Gatot Nurmantyo, Deputy Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General M Munir, and Secretary General of the National Defense Council Lieutenant General Waris.
When asked whether he will comply if he was later offered by the new government to fill a certain post, General Budiman said he will not like to make speculations but said that he was always ready to work.
Indonesia will have a new government following the presidential election contested by Prabowo Subianto with Hatta Rajasa as his running mate and Joko Widodo with Jusuf Kalla as his running mate.
The General Elections Commission is scheduled to announce the winner of the election on Tuesday evening.
With regard to his immediate retirement, Budiman expressed hope that the next chief could lead the army to continue to work for the people.
"Everybody has capability. Believe me, whoever will be next could continue his leadership," he said.
Reported by Syaiful Hakim
(H-YH/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/F001) 22-07-2014 15:46:22
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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