In the past two months, Edy has approached a number of political parties, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Golkar Party and the Hanura Party, in a bid to get their endorsement.

The three-star general needs to secure backing from an alliance of parties controlling at least 20 seats on the regional council to join the gubernatorial race slated for June 27 next year. In the meantime, Edy said, he would keep his position.

“I will resign by the time the North Sumatra General Elections Commission [KPU Sumut] officially opens the registration process for candidates [on Jan. 8, 2018],” he told a number of Batak Karo Protestant Church members in Medan on Sept. 20.

Edy, who also leads the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), may be the only Army elite to openly express his political ambition while still serving in the military, but analysts say that nearly 17 years after being forced out of the civilian sphere, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has never fully divorced itself from practical politics, with many of its top brass showing an interest in politics even before retiring.

While Edy has largely escaped criticism for refusing to resign while seeking political party support, TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo has triggered a firestorm of criticism from experts as well as politicians for what they believe is his attempt to abuse his position to gain political support before the 2019 presidential election.

Gatot has denied the accusation, saying he is focusing on grooming a successor.

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