Army Chief Of Staff Reaffirms Netrality Of Soldiers In The 2024 Election, Will Take Strict Action Against Soldiers Breaking The Rules

Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak during a press conference at Headquarters, Central Jakarta, Monday (22/1/2024). (ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak reiterated that TNI AD soldiers adhered to their neutrality commitment in the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) by not participating in the campaign.

"If we are in the army, which I have often said, that we have committed to being neutral, we do not support it. Because we (if) campaigned, did not participate in the vote, so we are all neutral," Maruli said during a press conference at Headquarters, Central Jakarta. reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 22.

Until now, said Maruli, the Indonesian Army has not received a clear complaint which proves that there are TNI AD soldiers taking sides with certain candidates or not neutral in the 2024 General Election.

"There are no complaints that have evidence and witnesses that the TNI participated in this campaign. Hopefully there won't be any," he said.

Maruli emphasized that his party would follow up on all incoming complaints. In fact, soldiers who are proven not neutral will be immediately sanctioned.

"We will follow up on all of that and it is clear that there is a follow-up. At least, if he has a position, we will definitely immediately go non-job, we will definitely call directly," said the Army Chief of Staff.

In addition, the Indonesian Army also always conducts internal evaluations regarding the potential violation of the neutrality aspect.

"Actually, we evaluated internally, about which direction this was developed. Intelligenceally, we already exist, leading to one ethnic group, have spoken, all kinds of things, and we have evidence. We do not expose the media, we immediately take action," he said.

The Army Chief of Staff said that his party already had a complaint post if the public found that the soldiers were not neutral.

"Langsung ke Kadispen (head of the lighting office) saja. Di daerah juga sudah ada. Nanti, tolong dissocialisasikan juga ya para Kapendam (head penerangan kodam), Kapenrem (head of lighting at the military resort command) supaya menerima aduhan-aduan dari semua," ujar Maruli.