Antiterrorism bill to be deliberated<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Despite opposition from human rights activists, the government
\nand the House of Representatives agreed on Monday to start
\ndeliberations on the antiterrorism bill as part of its effort to
\ncombat terrorism in the country.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the proposed law would provide
\nlegal grounds for upholding national security from possible
\nterrorist attacks.<\/p>\n
\"In a very short time, we will submit the antiterrorism bill
\nto the House for further deliberation,\" he told a news conference
\nafter a consultative meeting between the government and the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
The meeting was also attended by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung,
\nMinister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra,
\nNational Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and National
\nIntelligence Body (BIN) chief A.M. Hendropriyono.<\/p>\n
Minister Yusril said the bill was almost ready and currently
\nin the hands of Coordinating Minister Susilo for further reading.<\/p>\n
\"By the end of this month, we hope to inform the public about
\nits contents, get input from them and then put it before the
\nHouse,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril said the bill identifies seven kinds of terrorist
\nactivities as opposed to ordinary crimes.<\/p>\n
Anyone carrying weapons, explosives or chemical substances
\nthat threaten the public's safety and could be used for terrorist
\nattacks could be charged with conducting terrorism.<\/p>\n
Other activities, such as bombing supermarkets, destroying
\npublic facilities or vital infrastructure and foreign premises,
\nwould also be categorized as terrorist activities.<\/p>\n
\"Those activities would come under the planned antiterrorism
\nlaw, while other crimes, such as murders, will be under the
\ncriminal code,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Human rights activists have voiced their opposition against
\nthe drafting of the antiterrorism bill, fearing that the bill --
\nwhen passed into law -- could be used by power holders to silence
\ncritics or political opponents.<\/p>\n
Despite the opposition, the government has insisted on
\ncontinuing the draft of the antiterrorism bill in an apparent
\neffort to ease foreign pressure, especially from the U.S., which
\nhas asked Indonesia to do more in its fight against terrorism.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has been accused by a number of foreign countries of
\nbeing a safe haven for terrorists linked to al-Qaeda.<\/p>\n
The government and security authorities initially denied the
\naccusation, but as pressure mounts from foreign countries,
\nincluding the U.S., security forces have started to take serious
\naction against alleged terrorists.<\/p>\n
The National Police have arrested and deported a suspected
\nsenior al-Qaeda operative, Omar al-Faruq, and detained another
\nsuspected terrorist, Seyam Reda, a German national of Arab
\ndescent.<\/p>\n
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Monday that
\nhe would send a team of three policemen and intelligence officers
\nto the U.S. to interrogate al-Faruq.<\/p>\n
\"We have gotten a green light from the U.S. government, and
\nwe'll decide when we're going to leave,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/antiterrorism-bill-to-be-deliberated-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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