Let TNI vote in polls, say observers

JAKARTA (JP): Observers suggested on Sunday that Indonesian Military (TNI) members be given the right to vote in general elections as compensation for their complete departure from politics after the 2004 polls.

Riza Sihbudi from the National Institute of Science (LIPI) and Johanes Kristiadi from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said TNI members deserved the right to vote if they were no longer to be represented in the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly.

"TNI members have the same political rights as civilians, namely the right to vote and be elected to office. How can they channel their political aspirations if they do not have representatives in the legislative bodies?" Riza asked.

Under the election law enacted by the past regimes, TNI and National Police members do not vote in national elections but are reserved seats in the House.

The 1999 Election Law designates the TNI and the National Police, which at present have 400,000 personnel, 38 seats in the House/Assembly grouped under the TNI/National Police faction.

The two political observers however were of the same opinion that it would take between 10 and 15 years to enable the practice of letting TNI members vote materialize, citing civilians' lack of maturity in governing the military and in accommodating its political aspirations.

"It surely will take time to invite military members to the polls as we are still learning now how to run a democratic state. I think we have to exercise one or two more fair elections before we can allow military members to vote," Riza told The Jakarta Post.

TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. told the Assembly's (MPR) Ad Hoc Committee I for constitutional amendments on Friday of the TNI's wish to relinquish its House seats, but asked it to consider maintaining a TNI faction in the MPR.

The 700-member Assembly comprises 500 House legislators and 200 appointees who represent provinces and interest groups.

Riza voiced a fear that giving TNI members the right to vote would generate groupings in the armed forces and prevent it from being neutral in elections.

"That is the old way to pressure the parliament to maintain TNI's presence in politics. But to be fair, if all their seats are scrapped, then they have to be able vote in the polls," Riza said.

He believed that as a new democratic nation, Indonesia under the present civilian government should consider drafting regulations and laws to support the possibility.

In modern nations, Riza said, the military were given no seats in parliament but with a conducive political climate civilians could share democracy with the military.

"In many cases, the military doesn't stand as an exclusive group but are professionals just like teachers or doctors," he said.

Noted observer Kristiadi brushed aside the fear that there would be groupings inside the military.

"If the time is right, with our more mature political parties and supporters, the military should be allowed to vote."

He complained that civilians had failed to become independent from the military, citing the fact that many political parties and their elite still maintained the old practice of seeking support from the military.

"I'm afraid leaders of political parties will flock to TNI headquarters and solicit support from military top brass," he told the Post.

Kristiadi suggested that TNI leaders prepare their members for political changes that might conflict with the forces' creed in the past.

He said the issue should be put before the public's scrutiny before the government and the House/Assembly decided upon it. (emf)