Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – residential candidate Jusuf Kalla and his running mate Wiranto have pledged to uphold human rights as part of their commitment to quality democracy in the country.

"For us, there is no improvement of democracy without respect for human rights. Kalla and Wiranto have a strong commitment to upholding human rights," a campaign team member for the presidential ticket, Yus Usmagera, said Saturday.

Asked about Wiranto's link to past human rights abuses when he was the military chief, Yus said the allegation was part of a smear campaign against the vice presidential candidate.

"I think the fact that he contested the 2004 presidential election proved that Wiranto has nothing to do with the alleged human rights violations," Yus, who is also the secretary general of Wiranto's People's Conscience (Hanura) Party.

Wiranto was the Indonesian Military chief when riots erupted in Jakarta in 1998 and in the former Indonesian province of East Timor in 1999.