JP\/1\/ELECTION<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
\nmet with Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X for talks on how to
\nimprove security, law enforcement and people's welfare.<\/p>\n
\"As a presidential candidate, I need to communicate and
\nconsult figures with broad mind like him (Hamengkubuwono),\"
\nSusilo said after the meeting at the governor's office.<\/p>\n
All other presidential candidates have met the sultan for
\nconsultation.<\/p>\n
Susilo dismissed speculation that he had offered a position to
\nthe sultan, who quit the Golkar convention, which was eventually
\nwon by former military commander Gen. (ret) Wiranto.<\/p>\n
\"Don't reduce political communications to efforts to seek
\npolitical interests. The time to discuss the design of
\nadministration will come only when the election results are
\nannounced. At the moment it is more important to make people
\nunderstand what we are doing so they do not give the mandate to
\nthe wrong candidates,\" Susilo said.<\/p>\n
Hamengkubuwono said not all of the presidential candidates who
\nvisited him talked about power sharing.<\/p>\n
\"I treat everybody equally. I just hope people elect the right
\nperson. Whoever the winner, he or she has to satisfy the wishes
\nof people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen.
\nEndriartono Sutarto reconfirmed the neutrality of the military in
\nthe direct presidential election, which involves former high-
\nranking military officers.<\/p>\n
Endriartono said the TNI would not support nor prevent retired
\nmilitary officers from entering the race. The military's
\ninvolvement in the elections was restricted to \"ensuring the
\nelections run smoothly\".<\/p>\n
\"We (the TNI) are committed to maintaining neutrality during
\nthe elections and will not support nor pose a stumbling block to
\nparticular parties or presidential candidates,\" he told a media
\nconference at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"There are retired military officers contesting the election,
\nI know that, but they do no have any obligation to ask
\nendorsement from us (the TNI) because they have a right to
\nparticipate in the political event.\"<\/p>\n
Endriartono said the TNI had issued guidelines for military
\ntroops assigned to secure the election.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp1election-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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