Jakarta – The deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Party, Ramadhan Pohan, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono deserved the honorary five-star general status.

"Such an appreciation is justifiable. Pak Harto and Pak Nas were both five-star general and I think SBY should join them in getting the honor," Ramadhan said as quoted by tribunnews.com referring to the country's president for 32 years Soeharto and former Indonesian Armed Forces commander Gen. Abdul Haris Nasution.

Ramadhan said that Yudhoyono was being polite when he turned down the offer.

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Moeldoko proposed Yudhoyono be given a honorary five-star general status. "The President has shown a strong will to build the capacity of the TNI and we agree [he] should be bestowed with [the] status," Moeldoko said.