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ndonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo admitted on Monday that the illegal purchase of firearms by members of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) was a mistake and those who were involved would face disciplinary sanctions.

Military Police (POM TNI) have questioned eight Paspampres personnel who were allegedly involved in the case; however, Gatot and the force remained tight-lipped over details of the incidents and the identities of the soldiers in question, as Gatot revealed that the TNI had actually “launched an investigation immediately after they received information” about the purchase about four to six months ago.

Gatot said the involved members were now waiting to receive disciplinary sanctions from their superior, the newly appointed Paspampres chief Bambang Suswantono.

He also insisted that the weapons were purchased legally and the only mistake was that the purchase violated administrative procedures, adding that the around seven or eight handguns that were purchased on the black market — guns that were to be used for training purposes — had been confiscated by the Military Police.

“No TNI weapons can be procured personally. It must be done through the institution,” he added. “Whatever the intention is, the procedure was wrong. That is the mistake.”

US Army soldier Audi Sumilat pleaded guilty before a US federal court last week after he was charged with participating in a scheme to buy guns from several suppliers in the US to later sell them to three Paspampres personnel.

The Associated Press reported that the 36-year-old soldier would be sentenced in October and faced a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and an additional fine of US$250,000.

Gatot said should a member of the military buy a gun for personal use, he or she should register it with the Indonesian Shooting Athletes Association (Perbakin).

“No, the superiors did not know [about the planned purchase],” Gatot said. He later refused to give details about the personnel involved in the incident, which had occurred during the leadership of former Paspampres chief Andika Perkasa. However, he signaled that the case involved a junior officer and a middle officer from Paspampres’ Group A, which is responsible for safeguarding the President, and Group B, which is tasked with ensuring the safety of the Vice President.

The personnel alleged to have made the purchases, however, were still stationed with the Paspampres, although they were not in strategic posts, pending disciplinary actions by Bambang, said Gatot.

Just like Gatot, TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman previously insisted that the gun purchase was justifiable, although it breached proper procedure.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, whose institution oversees military procurements, said such personal gun purchases were “not allowed, except for firearms for hunting”. Yet he did not further elaborate on his statement, saying that it was better for him to first check on the incident before making detailed comments.

NasDem lawmaker Maj. Gen. (ret) Supiadin Aries Saputra, a member of House of Representatives Commission I, said that the country already had clear weaponry procurement procedures. Weapons, whether for individuals or organizations, should be bought from legal agents.

“Every procurement of weapons is proposed to the commission related to the budget, but we never know about the details of the weapons,” Supiadin said.

He further lambasted the statement of the TNI spokesman that the procurement by the Paspampres members was justifiable for personal use despite the improper procurement.

“His explanation is confusing and illogical. Somehow, if the weapons are obtained through illegal procurement by illegal agents, then the ownership is also illegal,” he added.