"The TNI must also play a role in dealing with terrorism."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked the military here Wednesday to help the police in overcoming national security threats such as terrorism.

The president made the request in his speech at a ceremony marking the 66th anniversary of the National Defense Forces (TNI) held in the compound of the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, east Jakarta.

"Maintaining public order and security is the police`s responsibility but the TNI must also play a role in dealing with terrorism or separatist movements that threaten the country`s sovereignty," the president said.

The most recent security threats in the country were posed by terror bombings, violent clashes between rival groups in the community and separatist activity in Papua, he noted.

The president then instructed all security personnel to take preventive and effective actions against terror. "We must be able to protect the people. Our intelligence agencies must detect early indications of terrorist activity and foil it. We must win the war against terrorism," said the president.

The president led the TNI anniversary ceremony flanked by TNI Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Navy Chief of Staf Admiral Soeparno, and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Imam Sufaat.

Also present on the occasion were Vice President Boediono, National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo, a number of cabinet ministers, House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie, People`s Consultative Assembly chairman Taufik Kiemas, and a number of foreign ambassadors.

The anniversary ceremony was followed by a parade of samples of the various types of armaments and equipment possessed by the TNI, paratroop and martial arts demonstrations, a fly-past by five Sukhoi fighter jets and a Hawk fighter jet.

This year`s TNI anniversary celebrations were themed, "With Integrity and Professionalism, and Together with Other Components of the Nation, the TNI is Ready to Maintain and Uphold the Sovereignty and Integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia."
(T.R018/A051/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011