As Regional Leader Candidates, TNI Members Must Retire
Thursday, 23 November, 2006 | 12:13 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Djoko Suyanto has emphasized that any TNI soldier who takes part in a regional leaders election must first resign or request retirement from duty.

One of the reasons for this is that many of those who are participating in such elections were not selected.

“Whether they like it or not, they must retire. This is the TNI headquarters’ decision. We are issuing this requirement so that nobody is in doubt about taking part in elections,” said Djoko after giving directions to military resort commanders and military district commander throughout Indonesia at TNI Army HQ yesterday (22/11).

This policy is realized in TNI Commander Decision letter no. SKEP 546/2006/VIII/2006 dated August 22, 2006, about regulations for the personnel who take part in regional leaders election.

One of the points in the letter is that TNI personnel who take part in regional leaders elections must put in their resignation from active post or retire before the regional leaders elections takes place.

TNI Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso confirmed this.

According to him, all active TNI members must no longer be involved in any regional leaders election process.

“The point is they must stop working permanently,” he said.

He is of the opinion that TNI also prohibits its personnel or their spouses from being actively involved in political party management.

This policy, said Djoko, has been enacted since 2004.

Air Marshal M. Sunarto, TNI HQ spokesperson, said the policy prohibiting TNI personnel from being involved in regional leaders election refers to State Decree No. 34/2004 on TNI.

Article 29 of this law says that the TNI is prohibited to take part in politics including running for office in regional leaders election.

Based on Tempo data, several TNI personnel have participated in regional leaders election, among them Infantry Colonel D.J. Nachrowi (who was then the Head of the TNI Information Service) ran for candidate of Ogran Ilir (South Sumatra) Deputy Regent; Lieutenant Colonel Ctp Didi Sunardi (was the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency’s intermediate assistance officer) for Serang (Banten) Regent candidate and Lieutenant Colonel Cku. Naschwin Ferien Norbeck (was TNI Bais’ intermediate assistance officer) for Berau (East Kalimantan) Regent candidate.

Dian Yuliastuti