National Army Chief Gatot Nurmantyo gives a press statement on Jan. 26, 2017. (National Army Public Relations/Handout)
The Indonesian National Army pledged to remain neutral and claimed its readiness to provide assistance to the National Policein securing the 2017 simultaneous regional elections.
The statement was said by National Army Chief Gatot Nurmantyo on Wednesdayafter a briefing in Cilodong army quarter, West Java.
"TNI's role is to secure the regional elections. This is to follow up the President's instruction," he said.
The general saidthat he will deploy his units across the 101 regions, districts, and cities holding elections.
"One of our forms ofparticipation is by mobilizing our troops in all regions in Indonesia to maintain and detect possible threats to the elections," Gatot said.
"We don't need to worry. Stop the prejudice so we can live normallyand rejoice this party of democracy as it should."
He also asked the media's participation to monitor his troops if any of them shows behavior of partisanship or preference of a candidate.
"Please mention his name, rank, unit and what he does, he'll soon be legally processed,"said Gatot.
(brl/red)
