National

TNI Commander: TNI Should Not Have to Seek Funds by Itself
Friday, 02 September, 2005 | 20:34 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander General Endriartono Sutarto has said that the TNI does not want to cause any problems over the planned handing over of 10 TNI businesses to the government.

However, the government must provide compensation as regards the welfare of soldiers.

Sutarto acknowledged that he did not yet know what form the compensation expected by the TNI would take.

All was dependent on the government, as long as the soldiers’ welfare was the main priority.

The professionalism of the soldiers will unlikely to improve without proper welfare.

Sutarto also pointed out that essentially, the TNI should not be involved in finding its own funds.

“It’s the state’s obligation to finance us. The government also has an obligation to cover our needs,” stated Sutarto in between a work meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I on Wednesday (31/08).

In October, the review of the companies, foundations and cooperatives owned by the TNI that are to be handed over to the government will be delivered to Sutarto. (Fanny Febiana-Tempo News Room)