IMPROVING SOLDIER`S ECONOMY MUST NOT BE FURTHER DELAYED OBSERVER

Jakarta, April 18 (ANTARA) - Defense and international political observer Yusron Ihza Mahendra has suggested to the government not to delay its plan to improve the life of members of the Indonesian armed forces (TNI)'s economy.

"Do not make the tax fraud case involving a tax officer Gayus Tambunan an excuse to delay raising salaries National Armed Forces (TNI)," the former chief of Commission I of House of Representatives overseeing national defense, said.

Yusron was responding to delay a plan of the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Directorate General to raise the salaries of TNI members, following the Gayus case in the taxation directorate general.

Yusron argued it is irrelevant to delay plan to increase the soldier's salary just because of Gayus' case. "The people must not consider all government officials are corrupt like Gayus," he said.

Yusron suggested the Defense Ministry to fight for raising the salaries of TNI members as such policy would produce more professional and dedicated soldiers.

"I and my colleagues in Commission I had fought raising the salaries of TNI members, as they are still living in deplorable consitions such as no proper place to stay," he said.

Yusron said that under the current living condition of TNI members, it would be difficulty to have an armed forces with the ability to deal with all kinds of threats and obstacles in maintaining country's supremacy.

"Besides the economy of TNI members, the government also needs to pay attention to the improvement of the weaponry system," Yusron added.