Lawmakers on Monday unanimously confirmed Gen. Agus Subiyanto, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s sole nominee for Indonesian Military (TNI) commander, despite concern about the neutrality of the military in next year’s elections.

In the two-hour closed-door confirmation hearing by House of Representatives Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs, Agus was grilled over his neutrality by lawmaker Tubagus Hasanuddin from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The largest party in the House has seen its relationship with the President reach a new low after his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, joined the race as the running mate to presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, who is a rival to the PDI-P’s candidate, Ganjar Pranowo.

Other parties which either support the presidential bids of Ganjar or another Prabowo rival, Anies Baswedan, such as the United Development Party (PPP), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the NasDem Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB), also questioned Agus on how he would ensure the TNI would remain neutral.

But Agus appeared to receive no serious pushback after he claimed he would keep the military out of politics.

“The PDI-P approved Agus's nomination as he had vowed to keep the TNI neutral,“ Tubagus said, noting that picking a sole nominee was Jokowi’s prerogative and that his nomination of Agus was consistent with the prevailing laws.

Agus’s confirmation by the defense commission will likely be rubber stamped in a House plenary meeting next week. And once the President installs him, he will replace outgoing commander Adm. Yudo Margono, who will retire later this month.

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