Keep The Image Of Institutions, TNI-Polri, ASN And BIN Must Be Neutral In The 2024 Election

JAKARTA - The Indonesian House of Representatives has formed a working committee (Panja) Netrality of the TNI and Polri in anticipation of the potential use of state tools in the 2024 election. However, recently news emerged about the existence of an integrity pact of the Regent of Sorong with the Head of BIN Papua to win the number three presidential candidate, Ganjar Pranowo. This means that there is mobilization of ASN support for one of the candidates who will contest in the upcoming presidential election. In response to this, the Professor of Politics, Resilience, and Security of Padjadjaran University (UNPAD) Muradi, assessed the neutrality of ASN, BIN and TNI-Polri must be maintained in the 2024 election because it relates to the image of state institutions in public presence. "ASN, TNI, Polri, then BIN must be in a position that keeps a distance. Because in the context of TNI-Polri they have a command culture, the spirit of the Korsa which in the end will make it non-objective in the eyes of the public," Muradi told reporters in Jakarta, Thursday, November 16, evening. Regarding the involvement of state tools, especially the TNI-Polri in winning one of the candidate pairs, Muradi said that TNI-Polri personnel also wanted them to be able to work professionally. "That is then what becomes a discourse within the TNI-Polri. Because if we look at it, they want a professional army. So if we discuss it, they don't want to be drawn here and there," said Muradi. Muradi emphasized that the internal spirit of the TNI-Polri only wants to be professional. According to him, their professional attitude makes their institution can stand perpendicular to the national and international arena. "Because their position always says that professional soldiers or professional police are soldiers/police who can carry out their task functions objectively and professionally. Because with this professional attitude they can be more empowered and have authority in the eyes of the public and internationally," he said.

Muradi reminded that there had been an open statement from TNI-Polri officials that they were neutral in elections. This should serve as a guide for all officers. Even if there are closed instructions, Muradi considers it the same as resigning the state institution. "Is it indeed part of a strategy that is closed or open. If it is closed, yes, I feel soldiers and police return to ancient times. The times when they were no longer professional," he concluded.