The two local political party supporters who were suspected of the intimidation campaign have since been arrested, but an examination of the bullet casings revealed that the weapon used belonged to a soldier.

"I would like to be honest about it and apologize for the misconduct of my subordinate," said Moeldoko at a morning coffee conference with the media at the military headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Friday.

Moeldoko explained that the soldier in question was under the influence of drugs when he irresponsibly lent out an M-16 rifle to an acquaintance.

"I regret that the issue has contributed to the current tension in Aceh," he continued, adding that the soldier was currently being processed.

With the legislative election only days away, Aceh has witnessed a surge in politically related violence, most of which has involved two local parties '€” the Aceh Party (PA) and the Aceh National Party (PNA).

At least four incidents involving both parties'€™ members have occurred in the past six months alone, with the latest one on March 2 leading to the death of a PNA legislative candidate.

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