TNI's electoral rights

We welcome the statement of Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, that TNI members will not exercise their right to vote or to be elected in the 2004 General Election.

It is a wise decision considering that people's distrust of the TNI has not yet vanished.

Soeharto's New Order regime was undoubtedly a military one as many TNI members took governmental positions and exercised their power in militant ways.

TNI has had its role in Indonesia's politics. Speaking about it as an organization, it is obvious that TNI is readier than the civilians, who have not matured in politics: Many of them don't know about ethics.

So, it is not surprising that TNI once lost its patience. But many of them have also ignored ethics. Therefore, this era of reform should be used to make both parties, civilian and the military, aware that, in democracy, there are rights and responsibilities that have to be upheld.

-- Republika