TNI may take control of security affairs<\/p>\n
KARAWANG, West Java (JP): Army chief of staff Gen. Endriartono
\nSutarto warned on Monday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would
\ntake control of security affairs from the National Police if the
\npolitical situation deteriorates into chaos.<\/p>\n
\"We (the TNI) must guard the nation if a chaotic situation
\nerupts ... We are not going to let it occur nationwide. The
\nnation's interests are paramount,\" Endriartono told journalists
\nafter presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the Army's
\nStrategic Reserves Command's (Kostrad) new intelligence platoon
\nunit, Tontaikam, at Sangga Buana, Karawang, West Java.<\/p>\n
Endriartono stressed, however, that the TNI would only act
\nwithin the confines of the law, and \"under a legal and political
\numbrella\".<\/p>\n
He further underlined that such action would only be carried
\nout in an effort to maintain security, and not in an attempt to
\nacquire power.<\/p>\n
Endriartono's remarks came amid heightened political tension
\nwhich has pitted the President against the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
The situation has become increasingly tense as street
\nprotests, ethnic conflict and armed separatism have emerged
\nacross the nation.<\/p>\n
Even Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
\nAffairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed concern on Sunday that
\nthe nation could collapse if questions over the national
\nleadership, stability and security are not quickly resolved.<\/p>\n
Endriartono emphasized on Monday that national integrity and
\nsovereignty means everything to the TNI, and that it would not
\nallow anything to threaten those basic tenets.<\/p>\n
\"If peaceful measures fail to settle problems and the
\ngovernment is not willing to impose a military emergency, even
\nthough it could ... then of course we are not going to let it
\nhappen,\" Endriartono asserted.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the political elite have approached or
\nlobbied TNI top brass for assistance in maintaining security in
\nthe event of a national leadership change, Endriartono maintained
\nthat he had \"never held a meeting with the political elite\".<\/p>\n
\"Even if they asked us and tried to lobby us, we would reject
\nit since we are not in a capacity to support or to make specific
\npolitical powers victorious\".<\/p>\n
\"Our concern is the nation's interests. The TNI must save this
\nnation,\" Endriartono asserted. (02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-may-take-control-of-security-affairs-1447893297",
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