Indonesian gay-rights promoter Dede Oetomo and transgendered campaigner Yulianus “Mami Yuli” Rettoblaut are still in the running for the commissioner post at the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

However, it remains to be seen whether they will endure the upcoming sessions in the House of Representatives’ Commission III overseeing legal affairs, as some lawmakers say most Indonesians still consider lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people alien.

Aboebakar Alhabsyi, a Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) lawmaker, has expressed his doubts on the competency of LGBT people to lead the Indonesian human rights body. He said he doubts that Dede or Yuli could even pass the selection process, adding there were dozens of other eligible candidates.

“We haven’t heard about any activities that the two candidates [Dede and Yuli] have done for human rights issues. On the other hand, our society has yet to accept the existence of the LGBT community. The political authority of Komnas HAM could be put in jeopardy if members of this community are selected for the commissioner post,” Aboebakar told The Jakarta Post.

Sad. Dede Oetomo would do a brilliant job as Indonesian Human Rights Commissioner.