Susilo's son to mark TNI Day

JAKARTA: This year's celebration of the 59th anniversary of Indonesian Military (TNI) on Tuesday will be special for president-in-waiting Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

As a retired military general, he has been invited in his capacity as one of TNI patrons. He and millions of Indonesians will also watch his eldest son First Lt. Agus Harimurti read the Sapta Marga military pledge during the ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in East Jakarta.

TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Agus was selected through "a normal procedure", dismissing political motives behind the selection of Susilo's son for the job.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri will preside over the ceremony.

Hours after the ceremony is over, the General Elections Commission is slated to announce the outcome of the presidential election runoff. The ongoing electronic tabulation sees Susilo leading Megawati by 21 percent. -- JP