Military command dismisses 39 soldiers

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Chief of Tanjungpura Military Command overseeing East Kalimantan province discharged on Wednesday 39 soldiers under his command. Three were discharged due to drug problems, 35 were deserters and one due to a sex scandal.

Although they have been discharged, some will still receive administrative sanctions, while others will be prosecuted in military courts, depending on their roles in respective cases.

The dismissal of the soldiers was intended to improve the image of the Indonesian Military (TNI), said Lt. Gen. Herry Tjahyana, the chief of Tanjungpura Military Command. -- Antara