Margareth Aritonang, Jakarta – With this year's elections just around the corner, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has reassured its neutrality, emphasizing that military officers proven to have lent their political support to any political parties would be firmly punished.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told reporters on Tuesday that the ministry had informed all TNI officers nationwide about the neutrality principle obligated of the institution in safeguarding the elections.

"The military supports the politics of the state but we must not engage in practical politics. We also hope that politicians won't push us into such practical politics," Purnomo said at his office. Purnomo added that his ministry had yet to receive any complaints regarding the neutrality of the military

TNI commander Gen. Moeldoko has also repeatedly highlighted the neutrality of his institution amid concerns that the military would favor certain parties or politician in the elections.

On Tuesday, Moeldoko reasserted that the TNI would remain neutral in the elections. "Only stupidity [of TNI officers] will lead to impartiality," Moeldoko said.

To secure the elections, the TNI proposed a budget of Rp 100 billion (US$8.3 million) to the House of Representatives, which was agreed to by the House's Defense Commission.

Commission chairman Mahfudz Siddiq said recently that his commission would endorse the TNI's budget proposal to the finance minister for approval as soon as the House resumed its session on Jan. 20.

"We fully support the TNI's proposal because it will support the institution in carrying out programs to secure the elections. We really hope the Finance Ministry shares the same opinion," Mahfudz, a politician from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said.