Military Forces Hold Training to Help Secure General Elections

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Military Forces (TNI) will hold an anti-terror joint training from January 24 to 29 to secure the upcoming general elections, TNI's Chief of General Staff Affairs Vice Marshal Boy Syahrir Qamar stated here on Friday. "This training aims to increase the alertness of the Indonesian military personnel especially ahead of the general elections, scheduled to be held in April for legislative members and July for the new president," Boy explained. According to him, the military training will have participation from 507 personnel consisting of 55 from the Army, 37 from the Navy, 38 from Air Force, 35 from the organizing committee and the rest as supporting personnel. Earlier President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono emphasized the need for neutrality of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and Police in the 2014 Election. "It is important to maintain neutrality of the military and police during the election. The neutrality of military and police is not only what I hope for as the Head of Government and State, but also as a political elite and people of Indonesia," Yudhoyono stated. The President pointed out that the 2004 and 2009 Elections were carried out successfully, and the military and police had been successful then, in maintaining neutrality. The President appreciated it and hoped for the same in the 2014 elections. According to the President, military and police have certain duties and obligations to ensure that the election takes place in an orderly and secured manner, in order for the election to be democratic, fair and square. (*)