REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo instructed military officers to remain neutral and ready to help secure the implementation of the simultaneous regional head elections (pilkada) to be held in December this year.

Maintain and intensify close relations and coordination with the police officers to jointly secure the implementation of pilkada, General Nurmantyo noted in a written statement read out by General Affairs Chief of Staff Air Marshal Dede Rusamsi here, Tuesday.

The TNI will not tolerate actions taken by any officer that could affect the sound relations between the military and the police, he stated.

It is important for unit commanders and officers to pay attention to this matter as the TNI's neutrality and readiness in helping secure pilkada in cooperation with the police is a guarantee for creating a conducive national situation and upholding unity among the Indonesian people, he added.

The statement was read out in a ceremony of the Santi Dharma Awards bestowed by President Joko Widodo on 200 military officers joining Garuda XXXVII-A Contingent/Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (Minusca).

The awards were presented to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence that fell on August 17.

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