'Restoring rights is evidence of democracy'

The reinstatement of part of the civil rights of former members of the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and their relatives enables them to participate in the national elections for the first time since their rights were denied by the state in 1966. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their thoughts on the issue.

Constan Hartoto, 30, is head of procurements at an air- conditioning assembly firm. He lives with his wife in Kedoya, West Jakarta:

I have no objection at all to their getting their rights back. It simply reflects that democracy exists in this nation.

I'm sure they won't be in power again, as people are generally prejudiced against communism.

If they run in the general elections, I don't believe they will win majority support -- even the existing major parties couldn't achieve that. I've talked to many friends who said bluntly that they would not exercise their right to vote this year.

Yulia Wardhani, 30, is a lecturer at a nursing school in Central Jakarta. She lives in Salemba Tengah, Central Jakarta:

We all have the right to vote or run in the general elections, including former members of the PKI.

Many of them and their descendants have great talents or potential, but remain shackled by the ruling regime. If they can contribute to the nation, why should any of us reject them?

I know that many people are still traumatized by the PKI or its doctrines, but we must remember that it was only part of the propaganda and indoctrination measures of the authoritarian New Order regime.

-- The Jakarta Post