Protest mounts against TNI seats

Protest mounts against TNI seats

JAKARTA: Numerous non-governmental organizations protested at the House of Representatives on Friday to demand that the Indonesian Military and the National Police quit the legislature in the 2004 elections.

The protesting organizations, grouped in the Preparatory Committee for Transitional Government (KPPT), were received by members of the TNI/National Police faction in the House.

They told the faction to focus on defense duties and improve the professionalism of their soldiers.

Responding to the demand, the faction's secretary, Christina M. Rantetana, said military and police officers were ready to leave the House and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) before 2009 if desired.

The protesters included those from the University of Indonesia Alumni Association (Iluni), the Indonesian Muslim Student Association (PMII) and the Front of Revolution 2002. --Antara