Maruli Ferdinand, Jakarta – The Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial) opposes the Indonesian military (TNI) being given the right to vote in the 2009 general elections. The problem is that the TNI has yet to complete its agenda of reform.

The executive director of Imparsial, Rachland Nashidik, made these remarks on Thursday February 16 in Jakarta. The reform agenda he was referring to concerns reform of the TNI’s structure, culture and doctrine. “Aside from this there are political motives behindgiving voting rights to the TNI”, Nashidik added.

Imparsial actually accepts the voting rights of TNI soldiers and believes that the restoration of their political rights represents an essential part in the development of democracy. However the provision of these rights requires serious and careful consideration. “They must learn to have democracy before it can be justified [for them] to use this right (the right to vote)”, he said. According to Nashidik the TNI have not known the right to vote for more than 30 years.

Nashidik is certain that the restoration of the TNI’s right to vote can be carried out after “The majority of the TNI’s agenda items of reform towards a professional military have been achieved”. Nashidik added that at present it is still difficult to assess the independence of TNI soldiers. He is concerned that the provision of these rights are only in order to ensure the victory of a particular candidate in the 2009 elections rather than an essential endorsement to build democracy.

Nashidik said that be believes that the government must have the political will to carry out internal reform of the TNI. To date however this will has yet to be visible. “The law on the election of regional heads for example, the TNI are allowed to vote, [they] shouldn’t have been allowed to before [these reforms are completed]”, said Nashidik.

Imparsial also opposes the TNI’s right to vote being discussed in the draft law on general elections that is being deliberated by the legislator. “Because there are also political games taking place there”, he said.

[Translated by James Balowski.]