Class action suit urged against parties abusing children

Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Commission for the Protection of Children called on the public on Tuesday to file a class action against political parties that involve children in their campaigns and rallies.

Muhammad Joni of the commission's legal advocacy and reform division said that legal action could be taken under Article 87 of the newly endorsed Child Protection Law.

The article stipulates that people who involve children for their political interests face a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of Rp 100 million.

"This is the risk that parties run because it is the public's right to sue any parties violating the law," Muhammad told a media conference to commemorate the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20.

The commission chairman, Seto Mulyadi, urged all parties contesting the 2004 elections to stop the practice, which was rampant in the previous election.

"Political parties claiming that their programs do not use children should back their words by not bringing children to their rallies, involving them in motorcades or asking them to wear the parties' attributes," he said.

Seto also suggested that the government reduce the eligible age to vote from 17 to 16 to curb the political abuse of children.

"Children who are 16 are capable of making decisions and expressing their options if they are allowed to vote," Seto, who is also a psychologist, said.

He said children of that age were emotionally stable and able to express their opinions and ideas without being influenced.

He added that the commission would submit the proposal to the House of Representatives.

The existing Election Law and its amendment draft stipulate that Indonesian citizens who are at least 17 years old or already married are eligible to vote.

In 40 countries, including the United States and the European Union, those who are 18 and over are eligible to vote, compared to Malaysia and Singapore, where voting eligibility is set at 21 years of age.

Responding to Seto's proposal, Hadar N. Gumay of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) said the idea was uncommon in the realm of politics.

"It's okay if we think that 16-year-old children can vote as long as it is approved by law. But we have to make sure that they are ready to vote," Hadar said.

An estimated 23.1 million people will be voting for the first time in 2004. They represent 15 percent of the total population of voters in the country.