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