Deputy Chairman of House of Representatives Budi Santoso (left) with TNI Commander General Moeldoko (right, saluting). TEMPO/Tony Hartawan
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Army Commander (TNI), General Moeldoko, has asserted that his institution will remain neutral during the upcoming 2014 General Election despite of several former military officers running their bid in the political stage, whether as a legislative candidate, presidential candidate, or vice president candidate.
"The former military officers are now civilians, no longer members of military body," said Moeldoko in the TNI headquarter in Cilangkap, East Jakarta on Friday, April 4. "The command is clear; the force commanders only work under the instruction of TNI Commander, and TNI Commander only work under instruction of the president. Each soldier has their own guidance book of neutrality, so trust us."
Currently, there are five former TNI officers who are running their presidential bid. Among the five are Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, the former General Commander for Indonesian Special Force (Kopassus) under Gerindra and the former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo under the Democrat party.
