TPN Ganjar-Mahfud: TNI Should Not Be Involved In Practical Politics, Firmly Prohibited By Law

Deputy for Politics 5.0 TPN Ganjar-Mahfud, Andi Widjajanto (center) gave a press statement in Jakarta, Sunday (12/11/2023) (Between/Rivan Awal Lingga)

JAKARTA - Deputy for Politics 5.0 of the Ganjar-Mahfud National Winning Team (TPN), Andi Widjajanto reminded that the TNI must be neutral and not be involved in practical politics in dealing with political years.

"Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI explicitly regulates the issue of TNI neutrality and must not be practical in politics," Andi said at a press conference in Jakarta, Sunday as quoted by Antara.

According to him, upholding professionalism and neutrality is the true core of the character of the TNI, especially in the context of elections and presidential elections. He explained that by maintaining these values, the TNI can carry out its role with high integrity and make a positive contribution to the nation's democratic process.

"So TNI superiors must know that the law has firmly regulated the neutrality of the TNI. The characteristics of the TNI who are professional and neutral in elections and the presidential election are the true identity of the TNI," he said.

Andi emphasized that if there are parties involving the TNI in practical politics, then it can threaten and damage the character and true identity of the TNI. Given the TNI's involvement in practical politics can obscure its main task as a tool of national defense and serve the interests of the people.

"If there are parties who make the TNI participate in practical politics, they have revoked the character and identity of the core of the incident and plunged it into an amateur TNI," he said.

Andi considered that even though the President had the position as the supreme commander, he was still not allowed to degrade the TNI to be involved in practical politics. According to him, the TNI can still carry out its functions with full responsibility as a guardian of neutrality in the context of national political dynamics.

"Even though he holds the supreme commander of the TNI, he must not degrade the TNI for practical politics. In the soldier's oath, it is stated that the neutral TNI must not be political," he added.