REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA - A regional military commander has called on his seniors to conduct more civilized, ethical and elegant political activities with regard to the presidential election on July 9.

"Please defend the presidential and vice presidential candidates you support, but do not undermine and insult each other. Conduct political campaigns that are civilized, ethical and elegant," the East Java regional military commander Major General Eko Wiratmoko said on Wednesday.

As a junior member of the military (TNI), he admitted he was concerned to see a number of retired army generals acting so bizarrely in their political activity, unveiling the shame of the TNI. He referred to the circulation of a document depicting the recommendation of the Honorary Council of Officers to dismiss Prabowo Subianto from the military, though the document was supposed to be confidential. Subianto, who is a retired lieutenant general, is currently running for president.

"I hope my seniors are quickly aware of (the impact of) their actions and will not be easily pitted against each other by people outside the TNI. In the end, it is the TNI institution that will be affected," he said.

General Eko claimed that his military command was ready to assist the police to ensure the security of the presidential election, scheduled for July 9 in the region. He said security conditions in the region have so far remained good, and he hoped this will continue until the election.

"We have prepared around 2.5 thousand personnel. If the number is considered insufficient, we are ready to increase it," he remarked.

Two pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates will compete in the election. They are Prabowo Subianto, with Hatta Rajasa as his running mate, and Joko Widodo, who pairs with Jusuf Kalla. 

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