Widya Michelia (MNC Media), Jakarta – The Indonesian military (TNI) has again dismissed and imprisoned rogue TNI soldiers for being proven to have committed homosexual or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) acts.
Earlier, a military tribunal handed down prison sentences and dismissed two rogue TNI soldiers who were proven to have committed LGBT acts. The two soldiers were Sergeant Second Class AP from the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Division 1 and a second private from the Army Infantry Battalion (Yonif) RK 114/SM.
Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan expressed his appreciation for the firm stand taken in dismissing the two soldiers.
"We know that this is not first time this has happened. The TNI has dismissed and imprisoned rogue LGBT soldiers several times. Because of this we really appreciate the commitment and firm actions taken by the TNI through the military tribunal's ruling", said Tambunan in an official release in Jakarta on Monday June 6.
Tambunan also said he appreciates the TNI's commitment in taking firm actions against LGBT up until now. This has been demonstrated by the official order by the TNI commander and Army chief of staff prohibiting soldiers from committing LGBT acts.
Because of this, Tambunan is asking all parties to join in being pro-active in prevention efforts and saving religious communities and the public from the dangers of LGBT.
"In the future all parties, as has been done by the TNI, [should] pro-actively ensure prevention through education and socialisation on the dangers of LGBT so that Indonesia as a country which is based on God the Almighty is free from LGBT", said Tambunan. (fmi)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "TNI Pecat dan Penjarakan Dua Prajurit dari Pasukan Elite yang Terlibat Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender".]