ABRI to submit revised bill on national safety to House<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday the military would
\nsoon submit the revised bill on national safety and security to
\nthe House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"The bill will be submitted immediately to the House to
\nreplace the revoked law on subversion and it will be a legal
\nbasis for the establishment of the unarmed civilian militia,\" he
\nsaid at the job transfer ceremony from the secretary-general of
\nthe defense and security ministry, Lt. Gen. (ret) Soeyono, to Lt.
\nGen. Fachrul Razi.<\/p>\n
He emphasized the bill's importance, saying the government
\nwanted the document to be enacted for the sake of the state's
\nsafety.<\/p>\n
\"We do need legislation to maintain the state's security
\nfollowing the (planned) lifting of the 1963 law on subversion,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He did not give details on the bill except that its substance
\nwould be in accordance with needs of a modern situation and would
\nrespect human rights.<\/p>\n
The subversion law is widely condemned as infringing on human
\nrights. Although the House has yet to revoke it, the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) decided last November to replace it
\nwith legislation on national security.<\/p>\n
The national security bill was actually introduced in 1989 but
\nit was rejected by the House.<\/p>\n
Wiranto said ABRI has made many changes to the bill, adding it
\nwould provide legal basis for the establishment of the militia,
\nitself a source of contention.<\/p>\n
Thousands of youths in provinces have been recruited for
\ntraining. They will be deployed to help the National Police
\nmaintain security.<\/p>\n
Many groups in society, including the House, have opposed the
\nplan because they fear the militia will be pitted against student
\nand youth demonstrators.<\/p>\n
House Commission I for defense and security ultimately
\nsupported the militia proposal following an assurance from ABRI
\nthe members would not armed and would be deployed only to
\nmaintain security in housing complexes and industrial zones. ABRI
\nalso agreed the militia's establishment would be based on a law.<\/p>\n
Separation<\/p>\n
Wiranto also said that effective in April, the National Police
\nwould temporarily be placed under the defense and security
\nministry's jurisdiction during the transition process before its
\npermanent separation from the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
\"The separation of the Police and the Armed Forces is expected
\nto start this April. Before a permanent separation, the National
\nPolice will be, for the time being, under the jurisdiction of the
\nMinistry of Defense and Security.\"<\/p>\n
Wiranto said the ministry was occupied dealing with the bill
\nand the planned separation.<\/p>\n
Widespread criticism preceded the decision to separate the
\nNational Police from ABRI. Military and political observers
\nargued the National Police should not be included in the combat
\narmed forces because its main tasks were to enforce the law and
\nmaintain security and order in society. (rms)<\/p>",
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