Kasad Asks For Cases Of Persecution Of Volunteers Carried Out By TNI Personnel Not To Be Associated With Neutrality

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff (Kasad) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak asked the public not to associate incidents of mistreatment of volunteers by several soldiers with TNI neutrality.

He emphasized that whatever the situation was, the TNI remained neutral during the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) stage.

"It has nothing to do with anything else (TNI neutrality, ed.). This is purely because my members are still young, so I responded that way. However, judging from its development, it is now running everywhere," said Maruli, ANTARA, Sunday, January 7.

He continued that the TNI also immediately responded quickly to the incident of the abuse of several volunteers by the TNI AD soldiers.

The Surakarta IV/4 Military Police Detachment on Tuesday (January 2, 2024) has named six soldiers of Company B of the Raider 408/Suhbrastha Infantry Battalion as suspects. The six soldiers who became suspects, namely each with the initials Prada Y, Prada P, Prada A, Prada J, Prada F, and Prada M.

Head of Information for Kodam IV/Diponegoro Colonel Richard Harison this week also explained that the case files regarding the six soldiers were handed over by Denpom IV/4 Surakarta to the Military Oditurat. The legal process, he emphasized, was independent and transparent.

Related to that, Maruli also asked the public not to rush into conclusions. He also asked the public to see the series of events in its entirety.

The group (victim, ed.) has turned eight times and has been repeatedly reminded (so as not to cause noise). So there is action, there is a reaction. However, the conclusion is not wild. Don't get involved anywhere and it's better if all parties evaluate each other, not just us," said Maruli.

He continued that the TNI's commitment to remain neutral had not changed and such an attitude was maintained.

"From the start of my inauguration, I have said that I will be firm regarding the issue of neutrality. I have proven it. There was an incident, at night (the members) were immediately detained for several days as suspects," said the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army.

Maruli also asked the public to just follow the ongoing legal process, including the trial later.

"Just waiting for the trial later, because he also has the right to defend himself. So, don't continue to be cornered to us (the TNI AD), directed again to neutrality. I think it's too much. So don't," said Maruli.