Erwida Maulia, Jakarta – The police and military have faced increasing scrutiny over their commitment to remain politically neutral in the upcoming elections, with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono questioning the move and recent rumors.
National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri said Friday the force would remain impartial and refrain from overtly supporting a political party or presidential candidate.
"I guarantee there will be no preferential candidate or party supported within the police force. If there is any open display of support or bias conduct, we will dismiss the officers responsible," Bambang said following the inauguration of 15 new Indonesian envoys at the Presidential Palace.
He said ahead of the legislative and presidential elections that the National Police would focus on security in conflict-prone areas, including Aceh and the Central Sulawesi town of Poso.
Yudhoyono caused a stir Thursday when he claimed to have heard reports of a group within the Army campaigning against a presidential candidate identified only by the initial S, and also about police top officers working for a certain presidential candidate.
It remains unclear exactly who Yudhoyono was referring to, as there are a number of candidates whose names begin with the letter S, including Yudhoyono himself, former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso and former Navy chief Slamet Subijanto.
The president also asked the police and military top brass to explain to the public why troops and officers opted to surrender their right to vote in the legislative and presidential elections as evidence of their impartiality.
Although Yudhoyono said he did not believe the reports, both the police and military leaders took the president's statement seriously.
TNI Commander Gen. Djoko Santoso brushed aside allegations the military had been involved in politics ahead of the elections.
"We have maintained our stance. Rumors will not change our neutrality," Djoko said to the Antara news agency Friday.
"Since 2004, the TNI has remained neutral," he said. Those who violate the measure will face punishment in accordance with TNI regulations.
"Let's just wait and see if we need a disciplinary council to hear cases involving violations. While they may just be rumors, the President's warning needs to be taken into account," said Djoko.
Army chief Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo said he would order all the regional military commanders to take the President's warning seriously.
"I will tell the commanders not to belittle the principle of neutrality," he said. He added the Army would not hesitate to dismiss any soldier found guilty of engaging in political activities.
Air Force chief Marshal Subandrio and Navy chief Adm. Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno shared the view that the TNI should maintain its distance from politics for the sake of national unity.
Subandrio said division in the military by political affiliation would endanger the country's territorial integrity. "Neutrality is needed not only to keep the TNI solid but also to build professionalism," Subandrio said.
The amended Constitution put an end to direct TNI political involvement as part of the reform agenda. In the past, the military and police played an often overbearing role in supporting the government.
As of 2004, the armed forces and police no longer held automatic representation in the legislative bodies.
The two forces decided to relinquish their right to vote in a pseudo-pledge of neutrality, even though the Constitution does not enforce a ban on the military or police from voting.