TNI the frontline in defending the national unity, commander says

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander-in-Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo reasserted that TNI must be the frontline in upholding the sovereignty and integrity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and preserving Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—Unity in Diversity—in order to face any forces that intend to disrupt the unity of the nation.

“Indonesian Military must affirm the identity as the People's Army, Fighter Army, National Army, and Professional Army, as well as take role as an adhesive of diversity and safeguard the unity of the nation,” said Gatot at the event of Corps Promotion Report of 34 TNI Senior Officers, at the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Tuesday night (11/1). 

He stated that TNI may not be divided by the ethnicity, religion, social class and must not tolerate any efforts to divide the nation, create conflict by provocation, and politicization of ethnicity, religion, and race (SARA). “TNI is a national military force which stands tall above all social classes, unites ethnicities, religions and races in realizing the ideals of the independence," he said. 

Besides that, the Military Commander also reminded that in successing the 2017 Simultaneous Regional Election, every TNI soldier must accentuate neutrality in every stage of the regional election throughout Indonesia. “I command every TNI soldier to accentuate TNI neutrality in every stage of the regional election throughout Indonesia,” said Gatot. 
 
Furthermore, all senior officers, unit commanders, and the lowest level officers were reminded not to get involved directly or inderectly in practical politics on duty wherever located. 

Meanwhile, at the Corps Promotion Report event there were 34 promoted officers, including TNI Maj. Gen. Wuryanto (TNI Spokesperson), TNI Maj. Gen. Madsuni (Army Special Force Commandant General), and TNI Maj. Gen. Arif Rahman (Military Academy Governor). 

Promoted officers from the Indonesian Navy were TNI Rear Admiral Djajeng Tirto Soedarsono (Expert on Social and Culture of Secretariat General of National Defense Council), TNI First Admiral Sinoeng Hardjanti, S.H.,M.Hum., (Member of  Military Judges of Top Military Court of the Supreme Court). From the Indonesian Air Force were TNI Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, (Inspectorate General of Defense Ministry), TNI Air Vice Marshal E. Lubis, (Third Expert of the TNI Commander), TNI Air Vice Marshal Supriharsanto (National Resilience Reviewer of the National Resilience Institute). (Translator: Erik Limantara)