Jakarta – The two top candidates in the Indonesian election - both retired generals – said Thursday that rights abusers should be treated just like drug dealers and be punished with death.

But front-front-runner Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Wiranto were less forthright when it came to the role of the military if they are elected in the country's first direct presidential election July 5.

They said they supported civilian rule but insisted military policy should be set by the generals. They also said the territorial command structure – which has given the military the opportunity to engage in politics as well as operate legal and illegal businesses – should remain in place.

"If we don't have soldiers down to village level, we won't have an early warning system and there may be infiltration into the country," Wiranto, who goes by one name, said during the televised debate which also included Vice President Hamzah Haz. "Our army is small," he said, "Their responsibility big."

Their comments are likely to raise concerns among rights activists, who fear that either candidate may give the military a greater role in governing the country and roll back reforms that have helped professionalize the force.

During the 32-year reign of ex-dictator Suharto, the armed forces was used to brutally repress any opposition. In exchange, the army got to meddle in the workings of government, and loyal officers were appointed to key government posts and the rubber-stamp legislature. Suharto was forced from office in 1998 amid massive demonstrations.

The two generals, however, were adamant that rights abusers should be held accountable – a bold promise especially by Wiranto who has been indicted in East Timor for alleged rights abuses committed by his troop in 1999.

"Capital punishment is part of justice," Yudhoyono said. "Whomever commits a crime – whether they be corruptors or gross human rights violators – should face [capital punishment]. But everything must go through a credible court system."

The debate, organized by the national election commission, marks the end of the campaign season. Much like Wednesday's debate between President Megawati and lawmaker Amien Rais, it was more like a fireside chat. Heeding a political culture where public confrontation is taboo, the candidates refused to criticize the other's policies.

If elected, they also promised to boost the country's sagging economy through increased foreign investment, crackdown on corruption and promote equal rights for women.

In Wednesday's debate, President Megawati Sukarnoputri appeared tense, distracted and often unprepared – a showing critics said gained her little support among disenchanted voters and may have sealed her defeat in the election.

Analysts said the 57-year-old Megawati needed a dynamic performance in Wednesday's debate to shake off the image that she is an aloof "princess" and give her a massive boost in popularity. She is trailing Yudhoyono by as much 30% in recent polls.