Army Chief Of Staff: We Remain Neutral Even Though There Are Many Retired People In The Regional Head Elections

Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak after holding an apple in the Grogol Petamburan area, West Jakarta, Thursday (10/102024) (ANTARA/Walda Marison)

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Maruli Simanjuntak said his staff would remain neutral during the 2024 Pilkada even though many retired people participated as candidates for regional heads.

"They (the candidate for the retired regional head of the TNI) no longer have a command to go inside, so we just have to say, we have to be neutral, I don't think there is a problem," said Maruli after holding a Danrem and Dandim rally in West Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, October 10.

According to Maruli, from the start his party had emphasized all ranks to remain neutral during the election contestation.

This neutral attitude must be carried out because the TNI takes an important role in helping the implementation of elections.

Several very crucial roles of the TNI in elections such as maintaining community conduciveness to helping distribute election logistics.

On the one hand, Maruli will also not hinder the steps of all retired TNI journalists to run as candidates for regional heads.

"He is already a civilian, he has the right to register," said Maruli.

Previously, several retired TNI journalists ran as candidates for regional heads in the 2024 Pilkada. One of the big names that caught the attention of the public was General (ret) Andika Perkasa.

The former TNI commander fought with Komjen Pol (ret) Ahmad Luthfi to fight for the seat of Governor of Central Java.