Let TNI vote in polls, say observers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Observers suggested on Sunday that Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) members be given the right to vote in general
\nelections as compensation for their complete departure from
\npolitics after the 2004 polls.<\/p>\n
Riza Sihbudi from the National Institute of Science (LIPI) and
\nJohanes Kristiadi from the Center for Strategic and International
\nStudies (CSIS) said TNI members deserved the right to vote if
\nthey were no longer to be represented in the House of
\nRepresentatives and the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
\"TNI members have the same political rights as civilians,
\nnamely the right to vote and be elected to office. How can they
\nchannel their political aspirations if they do not have
\nrepresentatives in the legislative bodies?\" Riza asked.<\/p>\n
Under the election law enacted by the past regimes, TNI and
\nNational Police members do not vote in national elections but are
\nreserved seats in the House.<\/p>\n
The 1999 Election Law designates the TNI and the National
\nPolice, which at present have 400,000 personnel, 38 seats in the
\nHouse\/Assembly grouped under the TNI\/National Police faction.<\/p>\n
The two political observers however were of the same opinion
\nthat it would take between 10 and 15 years to enable the practice
\nof letting TNI members vote materialize, citing civilians' lack
\nof maturity in governing the military and in accommodating its
\npolitical aspirations.<\/p>\n
\"It surely will take time to invite military members to the
\npolls as we are still learning now how to run a democratic state.
\nI think we have to exercise one or two more fair elections before
\nwe can allow military members to vote,\" Riza told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. told the Assembly's (MPR) Ad
\nHoc Committee I for constitutional amendments on Friday of the
\nTNI's wish to relinquish its House seats, but asked it to
\nconsider maintaining a TNI faction in the MPR.<\/p>\n
The 700-member Assembly comprises 500 House legislators and
\n200 appointees who represent provinces and interest groups.<\/p>\n
Riza voiced a fear that giving TNI members the right to vote
\nwould generate groupings in the armed forces and prevent it from
\nbeing neutral in elections.<\/p>\n
\"That is the old way to pressure the parliament to maintain
\nTNI's presence in politics. But to be fair, if all their seats
\nare scrapped, then they have to be able vote in the polls,\" Riza
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He believed that as a new democratic nation, Indonesia under
\nthe present civilian government should consider drafting
\nregulations and laws to support the possibility.<\/p>\n
In modern nations, Riza said, the military were given no seats
\nin parliament but with a conducive political climate civilians
\ncould share democracy with the military.<\/p>\n
\"In many cases, the military doesn't stand as an exclusive
\ngroup but are professionals just like teachers or doctors,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Noted observer Kristiadi brushed aside the fear that there
\nwould be groupings inside the military.<\/p>\n
\"If the time is right, with our more mature political parties
\nand supporters, the military should be allowed to vote.\"<\/p>\n
He complained that civilians had failed to become independent
\nfrom the military, citing the fact that many political parties
\nand their elite still maintained the old practice of seeking
\nsupport from the military.<\/p>\n
\"I'm afraid leaders of political parties will flock to TNI
\nheadquarters and solicit support from military top brass,\" he
\ntold the Post.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi suggested that TNI leaders prepare their members for
\npolitical changes that might conflict with the forces' creed in
\nthe past.<\/p>\n
He said the issue should be put before the public's scrutiny
\nbefore the government and the House\/Assembly decided upon it.
\n(emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/let-tni-vote-in-polls-say-observers-1447893297",
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