Articles on military tribunals dropped<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives finished
\ndeliberating yesterday four security and defense-related bills,
\none of which underwent significant change in that all of its 15
\narticles on special military tribunals were scrapped.<\/p>\n
Hari Sabarno of the Armed Forces faction, who chaired a team
\nwhich deliberated the military tribunal bill, told a House
\nsession that special military tribunals were no longer needed for
\nthe country's constitutional law development.<\/p>\n
The removal of articles on special military tribunals was just
\none of \"numerous changes\" proposed by House legislators on the
\nbills, said legislator Andi Mattalata who presided over
\nyesterday's session.<\/p>\n
The initial draft of the government-sponsored bill said that a
\nspecial military tribunal could be set up by a presidential order
\nto try people, including civilians, who attempt to endanger the
\nstate.<\/p>\n
Military tribunals would bar any efforts by a convicted person
\nto appeal to a higher court. However, a convicted person could
\nhope for presidential clemency.<\/p>\n
According to the draft, such a principle would have a
\ndeterrent effect on the public from committing crimes.<\/p>\n
The last time a special military tribunal was set up, 17
\nmilitary officers and leaders of the now outlawed Indonesian
\nCommunist Party were tried in 1966 on charges of masterminding a
\ncoup attempt in September 1965. The court sentenced all but one
\nto death.<\/p>\n
Final drafts of the military tribunal, police, mobilization
\nand military discipline bills were all signed by Minister of
\nDefense and Security Edi Sudrajat on behalf of the government and
\nrepresentatives of the House's four factions.<\/p>\n
The package of bills, if endorsed in a session scheduled for
\nSept. 8, will cut the number of bills remaining to be deliberated
\nto only two.<\/p>\n
Deliberation of the manpower and futures commodity trading
\nbills are still underway; both documents are expected to be
\napproved by the House before the legislative body concludes its
\nsession on Sept. 19.<\/p>\n
When the House ends its five-year term on Sept. 30, it will
\nhave deliberated 72 bills.<\/p>\n
Mattalata, who also chaired a special House committee which
\ndeliberated the four defense and security-related bills, said
\nthat each draft saw \"significant changes compared to the initial
\nones submitted by the government\" more than six months ago.<\/p>\n
He said 70 percent of the military discipline bill was
\nchanged.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, the House exercised its amendment right during
\ndeliberation,\" said Mattalata of the Golkar faction.<\/p>\n
He said another major modification was made to the police
\nbill. The article on the use of force and fire arms by on-duty
\npolice officers was revised so that it now refers to measures
\nsuggested by the Criminal Code and the Criminal Code Procedures.<\/p>\n
Hari said that alterations to the draft bills should change
\nthe House's image as a mere rubber stamp of government policies.<\/p>\n
\"We've accommodated public aspirations during deliberations.
\nThere should be no complaints or criticism of the bills if
\nthey're enacted,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hari's United Development Party (PPP) counterpart, Aisyah
\nAminy, said the future law on military discipline could, to some
\nextent, apply to civilians in order to help the national campaign
\nfor public discipline. (amd)<\/p>",
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