Democratic Party Chairman calls for state neutrality in upcoming elections
Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono emphasizes need for military, police and civil servants to remain professional and impartial during electoral processes, stating state institutions must serve public interest rather than political agendas.
Democratic Party Chairman calls for state neutrality in upcoming elections
Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has called on Indonesia's military, police and state institutions to maintain strict neutrality during elections, emphasizing that public officials have a duty to protect citizens' democratic rights.
Speaking at his party's 25th anniversary celebration in Menteng, Central Jakarta on Saturday, Yudhoyono—who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development—declared that security forces and civil servants must remain professional and impartial throughout electoral processes.
"The military, police, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, civil servants and all state officials must be professional and neutral, including during elections. They belong to the people."
The statement was made by Yudhoyono, commonly known as AHY.
Democratic Party anniversary celebration
The anniversary event, marking the party founded on September 9, 2001, brought together senior Democratic Party figures including former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono—who co-founded the party and served as Indonesia's sixth president from 2004 to 2014. Also attending were House Democratic Party faction leader Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, Deputy Chairman Benny K. Harman and Srikandi Demokrat Chairwoman Annisa Pohan.
AHY, who assumed the party chairmanship on March 15, 2020, succeeding his father, framed elections as fundamental opportunities for Indonesians to exercise democratic rights and select leaders freely. A former Indonesian Army major who served from 2000 to 2016 before entering politics, his military background adds weight to his stance on institutional neutrality.
Protection of democratic rights
The chairman stressed that voters must be able to exercise their rights without pressure from any party, requiring security forces and state institutions to ensure safe and comfortable voting conditions.
"State facilities must be used for the people's interests, not for practical political interests."
AHY stated, urging all government institutions to uphold electoral integrity.
Legal framework and neutrality commitments
His call aligns with Indonesia's legal framework established through Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), enacted to ensure military neutrality in politics and governance following post-1998 reforms. The TNI and National Police (Polri) signed a neutrality commitment for the 2024 election in November 2023, with violations punishable under existing legislation.
The Democratic Party, which currently holds 44 seats in the House of Representatives, governed Indonesia from 2004 to 2014 during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency, winning a majority in the 2009 legislative election.
Respecting the people's choice
AHY emphasized that election outcomes must reflect genuine public will.
"Whoever wins must win because they have earned the people's trust, and whoever loses must respect the people's choice."
The statement comes as Indonesia continues to strengthen its democratic institutions following the 2024 presidential election, which saw Prabowo Subianto win with 58.59 percent of votes and assume the presidency on October 20, 2024.