T

he Indonesian Military (TNI) celebrated its 64th anniversary Monday, securing praise from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for successful internal reforms and for protecting the nation.

The President told the TNI to continue and complete all of its reform agendas, including ending its businesses and focusing on defending the country from outside threats.

The TNI, he said, has managed to upgrade its professionalism, as was evidenced by its neutrality in the country's political life.

"This professionalism was proved in the recent elections. The TNI managed to maintain its neutrality towards all participants in both the legislative and presidential elections," Yudhoyono said before hundreds of guests at the anniversary ceremony at the TNI's headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

"On behalf of the state and the government, I'd like to express gratitude to the TNI, which in the past 10 years has successfully carried out internal reforms."

He said the TNI had now learned to fully respect the values of democracy and human rights, as well as the existing national system.

He added that the TNI needed to complete its reform agenda by ending its businesses so it could "concentrate on its main duties".

"The government will soon monitor all TNI business activities through a presidential regulation."

To further boost the TNI's credibility, Yudhoyono said the government would increase its budget by 30 percent in 2010 and continually increase it in the future until it reached what he called the "minimum essential cost".

"I hope the significant increase in the military budget can be used to modernize the military's weaponry and build power, to pay the maintenance and operating costs of the weaponry, to improve the quality of the education and training, and to improve the welfare of the soldiers."

The President added that the government would revitalize "strategic industries", a term referring to state firms that support military equipment, in the next five to 10 years to develop the country's independence in the purchase of weaponry and other military equipment.

The TNI also won praise from the President for its ability to protect and defend the sovereignty of the nation.

He reminded the TNI to continually upgrade its capacity despite the fact that Indonesia has not experienced war since 1999 when Timor Leste gained independence from Indonesia.

Yudhoyono asked the TNI to continue its main duty in safeguarding the country's boundaries, fighting terrorism and helping people in disaster-hit areas.

"We understand that Indonesia is situated in geologically vulnerable areas that can be hit by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruption, at any time," he said.

"The TNI must thus keep actively supporting emergency measures in disaster-hit areas. It must continue to develop effective ways to save our brothers and sisters affected by such tragedies."

The international community has praised the TNI for its role in facilitating the emergency efforts in Aceh and Nias following the 2004 tsunami.

Yudhoyono has also stressed the important role of the TNI in helping victims of the current earthquake in West Sumatra where more than 1,000 people have died.