Safrin La Batu, Jakarta – Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has taken the opportunity during the 72nd anniversary of the Indonesian Military on Thursday to deliver a message for the military force to improve its relations with the National Police amid apparent tensions between the two institutions.

As usual, Yudhoyono used his Twitter account @SBYudhoyono to express his thoughts. He first congratulated the military on its anniversary and then proceeded to convey his expectations.

"Dirgahayu! [Happy anniversary!]," he wrote. "As a senior in the military and a former state leader, I really expect the military to get on well with the National Police. This [good relationship] is our strength," he tweeted.

In an apparent attack aimed at the police institution, military commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo recently said that a non-military institution had attempted to purchase anti-armor weapons. He also said he would even attack the police if it had such weapons.

The remarks later turned into a controversy, and analysts argued it might be a sign of tensions between the military and the police. Later, Coordinating Political, Law and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto confirmed that there really were problems in relations between the two institutions.

Before becoming president for two terms from 2004 to 2014, Yudhoyono, who is a former four-star general, was the Coordinating Political, Law and Security Affairs Minister from 2001 to 2004. He was also the Sriwijaya Military commander in South Sumatra from 1996 to 1997.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/10/05/sbytells-military-to-improve-relations-withpolice.html