TNI's electoral rights

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