Iqbal Fadil, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has put forward four preconditions that have to be met before the right to vote is given to members of the TNI (Indonesian military).

This was conveyed by the head of the YLBHI’s board of directors, Munarman, in a press conference at the Jakarta LBH offices on Jalan Diponegoro in Jakarta on Friday February 17.

The first condition is the abolition of the security system maintained through the territorial commands (Koter). Secondly, the TNI must be fully under the control of the political executive and civilian supremacy.

Third, the TNI must rely fully on funding from the state budget, not from TNI businesses. Fourth, equality before the law, so that violations against criminal law committed by TNI members must be deal under the public justice system.

“The worst implication if these preconditions have yet to be implemented is that the TNI will use its forces to influence the public in voting for certain candidates or political parties. To this day the TNI’s political influence remains strong”, he asserted.

The other concern is if TNI leaders and commanders have different political affiliations. This could of course could influence their subordinates.

At present there are two view on the issue of giving the TNI the right to vote. The first is that the TNI’s forces will be used by the current political authorities as a means to ensure victory for their party. Secondly, the use of voting rights could indicate the TNI’s return to political life.

“But if these preconditions can be met before [the general elections in] 2009, go ahead use right to vote”, explained Munarman. (san)

[Translated by James Balowski.]