REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Presidential Chief of Staff Gen. (ret.) Moeldoko denied the presence of Indonesian Military (TNI) retired generals in the government's circle was a strategy to fight Prabowo Subianto in 2019 presidential election. According to him, the existence of TNI retired generals were needed to strengthen the government.

"In fact, there is no such thing as fighting, but in politics we strengthened each other. The context is not against, but mutually reinforcing," said Moeldoko on Wednesday (April 11).

Moeldoko assessed, the word "fight" was not appropriate to be used in the party of democracy in Indonesia. He said it would be better if the term was "sparing partner".

"So, there should be no "fight against" because I think it's not a good word in democracy. Let's call it as "sparing partner", Moeldoko added.

A number of retired army generals were in the government circle and they also got strategic position. Moeldoko has been appointed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to replace former anti-corruption activist Teten Masduki as presidential chief of staff on January 17. At the same time, Gen. (ret.) Agum Gumelar also has been appointed as a member of Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres).

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