Woodwing Importer – Djoko Santoso, the former military chief of staff, has thrown his hat into the ring for next year's presidential election, adding to the already swelling ranks of ex-military men vying for the country's top seat.
Speaking at an event in East Jakarta on Saturday night, Djoko said he had long been urged by his supporters to mount a presidential bid.
"I know full well that being a good leader means making sacrifices and suffering for those you're leading," he said. "That's why I now wish to declare that I'm ready to stand."
He added that he felt compelled to run and had considered his decision thoroughly before making the announcement. "Once I've decided to fight, there's no backing away. So I've drawn up some preparations and concepts that I'll need for my candidacy," he said.
Djoko, who was the Army chief of staff from 2005-2007 before serving as the military commander until his retirement in 2010, said Indonesia needed a leader who was "wise and brave," and had "high capability, morality and acceptability."
He added that he did not have any particular political party in mind to run with, but said he was weighing all options, including possibly taking part in the Democratic Party's convention to choose a presidential candidate.
Djoko's entry into the presidential race adds to the number of former military top brass already jockeying for prominence. Chief among them is Prabowo Subianto, the former commander of the Army Special Forces (Kopassus) and co-founder of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), who is considered one of the front-runners ahead of the July 2014 poll.
Another prominent hopeful is Wiranto, the last commander of the armed forces under Suharto and the chairman of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura). Both Wiranto and Prabowo previously contested the 2009 election, while Wiranto also had a run in 2004.
Also considering a tilt next year, but not realistically expected to make the final nomination, is Sutiyoso, the former head of the Jakarta Military Command and former governor of the nation's capital. Sutiyoso chairs the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI).
One of the more intriguing figures linked to next year's race is the recently retired Army chief of staff, Pramono Edhie Wibowo, who is also the brother-in-law of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – himself a former military general.
Yudhoyono has insisted that no members of his immediate family will seek the presidency in 2014, but conspicuously glossed over any mention of Edhie, whom analysts say could be nominated by the Democrats seeking continuity for the Yudhoyono administration.