Rabby Pramudatama, Jakarta – Imparsial, a Human Rights watchdog, has objected to the planned involvement of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel in anticipating nationwide rallies opposing the government's proposal of increasing fuel prices.

"We think that it's too early to deploy military personnel," Imparsial's executive director, Poengky Indiarti, said in a media statement Monday. "It could also be considered an excessive initiative that might lead to violations of human rights."

Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto had said that the government would involve military personnel to help the police in order to anticipate an escalation of the protests.

Poengky said the minister's initiative could be perceived as a soft threat against the protesters. "It's important to remember that to protest is a right belonging to each citizen. It's part of people's freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by our Constitution and law," she said.

A number of university students have since last week staged rallies across the country in protest to the government's plan, demanding the government halt its plan to increase the price of subsidized fuel, which is slated for April 1.

While police have handled internal security matters since the reform era, they may request military reinforcements should a situation get out of hand. (nvn)