REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, GIANYAR -- Army chief of staff General Budiman reiterated army's neutrality here on Saturday with regard to the next presidential election on July 9.
"TNI's (military) stance is clear. We are neutral," he said after officiating at the opening of a "TNI Builds Village" civic program in Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali.
He said TNI members may not side with any of the candidates that would compete in the election.
This also applies to their families and with regard to them TNI will let them vote according to their conscience, he said.
"We will let the vote according to their conscience. We will not lead them to choose a certain candidate," he added.
Asked if there was a special instruction for his personnel with regard to the election General Budiman said that the only instruction was for them to be neutral.
Budiman meanwhile called on the people to participate in maintaining public order and security so that the election could go peacefully.
"We appeal to the people who have a right to vote to help promote awareness that the presidential election is a democracy fiesta," he said.
He also called on the people to show their political maturity by not spoiling the event.
"Do not spoil it with conflicts because the election is a peaceful means of electing a national leadership," he said.
One of the candidates in the election is retired lieutenant general Prabowo Subianto who is a former army's special forces commander.
His rival, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), meanwhile is a civilian who is currently governor of Jakarta.
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