Jakarta – Gen. (ret) Djoko Santoso claims he has told Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Adm. Agus Suhartono that he wants to run for president in the 2014 election.

"I have met with the TNI commander, Pak Agus Suhartono, to convey my intention to run for president in the 2014 presidential election. We had a meeting in Cilangkap some time ago," he told journalists at his home on Jl. Bambu Apus on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Djoko, who served as TNI commander from 2007 to 2010, said he felt that he needed to tell the military leader of intention to run for president so that it was officially understood.

"I told the TNI commander that I will run for president as a private citizen and will not use any military insignia in my candidacy, let alone mobilize TNI personnel," said Djoko, adding that all his campaign team members were civilians.

Several retired generals, such as Maj. Gen. (ret) Kurdi Mustofa and Maj. Gen.(ret) Prijanto, have joined his political lobbying team. Responding to the issue, Djoko said the two figures were no longer active military personnel but private citizens.

He asserted that during the 2014 presidential election, the TNI should remain neutral. Djoko said, "Such a neutral position is one of core elements of internal reform within the TNI that has taken place since the start of the reform era." (ebf)