TNI Ready to Assist Police to Secure Regional Elections 2017

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Indonesian Military (TNI) stated readiness to meet Indonesian police’s request to assist them securing the regional head elections  on February 15, 2017 which will be held simultaneously  in 101 cities, regencies and provinces across Indonesia.

"We (TNI) will always be ready to help and to fulfill what is requested by the police. I can not mention the total number of personnel that will be deployed to safeguard the the upcoming simultaneous regional election accross Indonesia," said Indonesian Military chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo after limited meeting with Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu,  Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mulyono, Navy chief of staff Adm. Ade Supandi  and  Air chief Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto and member of House of Representatives Comission I, in South Jakarta, Monday (6/2).

Gatot explained that the Police has already mapped out the area of Jakarta. Aceh is identified as vulnerable region, while other areas are still under observation. "I can not say wether the  area is vulnerable or not, because local election is a celebration  of democracy and everybody will celebrate it," he said.

Meanwhile, in respond to a question from media  about the procurement of Agus Westland (AW) 101 helicopters, Gatot explained that the procurement of  AW 101 must follow the procedures, and the military has sent a team to investigate whether the helicopter AW 101 is  a new or used aircraft.

"To prevent more crashes, President Ir. H. Joko Widodo has given instructions to the military in procuring Alutsista that the aircraft  must be a new, not a used one, and no longer willing to receive  Alutsista grant from other countries, " the TNI Commander said. (Translator: Sugiarti)