Magelang, Central Java – A former military (TNI) chief says there is no reason to deny soldiers their basic right to vote in the 2009 general elections.

"(If critics) keep saying that time is not right for the military members to vote in 2009, then when will they be allowed to vote?" Gen. (ret) Endriartono Sutarto said Saturday, as quoted by Antara. He said that three years from now would be enough time for TNI to prepare itself to take part in the election.

Allowing TNI employees to cast votes in the general election is a crucial issue in the ongoing debate on the amendment of the general election bill.

Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono is one of the several figures who say that the 2014 elections would be more suitable, as it would allow TNI to finish the necessary preparations.