Law required to protect rights of former presidents and vice presidents

JAKARTA (JP): The nation's executive and legislative bodies are being urged to draft a bill on the rights of former presidents and vice presidents.

"There is no law to protect the rights of the former leaders," said Hadi S. Dononegoro, chairman of the KPPRI, an organization concerned with the continuation of the Indonesian independence struggle.

Presidents and vice presidents are elected by the people and should be respected, both during and after their terms of office, Hadi said.

"They also need protection," he added.

He said the proposed law should cover matters relating to Indonesia's first president Sukarno and his vice president Mohammad Hatta.

According to Hadi, the proposed law will be discussed during KPPRI's national cadre training program from April 28 to April 30.

Program participants will come from 100 universities across the country, he said. (lem)