Istman Musaharun Pramadiba, Bogor – Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Gatot Nurmantyo said that the atmosphere of the upcoming general election will be a particular challenge for his potential replacement, Air Force Chief of Staff Martial Hadi Tjahjanto.
"We saw how tense the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election was. It was so tense that we had to deploy many of our troops," said Gatot Nurmantyo on Tuesday, December 5.
Hadi Tjahjanto was suggested by President Joko Widodo as the next TNI Commander to replace General Gatot Nurmantyo who will retire in March 2018. The President's letter of recommendation was already handed over to the House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday, December 4, for a further selection process.
Gatot explained that Hadi will face Indonesia's political year throughout 2018, where the simultaneous regional election will be held in 171 regions. It will be followed by the Legislative and Presidential Election in 2019.
General Gatot Nurmantyo said that the political tension during those times will be severely tense. Therefore, he advised Hadi Tjahjanto to prepare to handle the upcoming situation once he is appointed as the new TNI Commander.