Ex-PKI members' right

Ex-PKI members' right

From Koran Tempo

The Constitutional Court on Feb. 24 decided to annul article 60(g) of Law No. 12/2003 on general elections, restoring the constitutional right for (suspected) ex-Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members and their relatives to run for legislative posts.

This decision constitutes a legal breakthrough, which gives certainty to the rights of former political detainees particularly ex-PKI members. It also enhances the exercise of human rights and democracy in Indonesia.

However, the decision has prompted protests from certain groups, who ostensibly fear a potential threat to the unitary state of Indonesia, based on the PKI's historical perceptions.

Though anything that smells of communism is like an allergy to be avoided for most people here, as a country upholding human rights and law, we should respect the court's pronouncement, while remaining vigilant against any attempt to revive communism.

However, that court decision is enough reform and should not be followed by a revocation of the ban on education or distribution of Marxist/Leninist/Communist material -- a ban which was imposed by the People's Consultative Assembly in 1966.

RIDWAN SALIM Jakarta