An internal security law needed<\/p>\n
The Constitution makes it clear that Indonesia is a state
\nbased on the rule of law and not solely on individual power. It
\nis therefore natural that of late much criticism has been aimed
\nat the possible use of laws that are regarded as reflecting
\nlittle more than the use of pure power. For instance, there are
\nthose who question the relevance of applying the existing
\nSubversion Law to resolve the \"Black Saturday\" riots of July 27.<\/p>\n
In order to avoid recurrences of debates regarding the use of
\nthe Subversion Law in the future, we would like to underline the
\nremarks made by the Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs,
\nLt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, during a meeting with media chief editors
\nlast Monday. Syarwan said that as the nation and the country face
\nthe present developments -- most particularly those that are
\nrelated to the nation's security -- appeals and warnings alone
\nwill not suffice. Rather, a clear-cut legal framework for action
\nis needed. In this context, he said, it is time for Indonesia to
\nhave a law to protect its national security.<\/p>\n
Aside from the question of content, the time for such a law
\nseems ripe for a number of reasons. One is that it would be clear
\nto every citizen what his or her rights and duties are as far as
\nthe safekeeping of the nation's security is concerned. Also, the
\nofficials in charge of safeguarding the national security would
\nhave clear-cut and relevant guidelines to act on. They would also
\nbe better placed to urge the public at large to cooperate in
\nprotecting national interests.<\/p>\n
Another reason is that such a law would protect the public
\nfrom national security being used by irresponsible persons to
\nintimidate or pressure people for purposes that actually have
\nnothing to do with the safety and the security of the nation. In
\nshort, there appears to be a real urgency to pass such a law
\nbased on the consideration that ours is a constitutional state
\nand that there is a need for us to anticipate all the
\nimplications of globalization.<\/p>\n
-- Suara Karya, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/an-internal-security-law-needed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }