House to deliberate state security bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) agreed on
\nThursday to deliberate the widely criticized bills on state
\nsecurity and on a civilian militia, despite public calls that it
\ndrop the Ministry of Defense-sponsored documents.<\/p>\n
Spokespersons of the four factions of the House, however,
\nqualified their agreement with criticism that the documents
\nsought to grant the administration excessive power. They said the
\nHouse would be relegated to a position where it would not have
\nany power at all in determining the necessity for a state of
\nemergency or the imposition of martial law.<\/p>\n
The decision to deliberate the bills was made at a plenary
\nsession led by deputy chairman Hari Sabarno, and was attended by
\nMinister of Defense and Security\/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief
\nGen. Wiranto.<\/p>\n
Lydia Arlini Riandji of the ruling Golkar said an agreement
\nshould be reached over what constitutes \"the security of the
\nstate\" in order to prevent one party from imposing its own
\ndefinition on the matter.<\/p>\n
\"Everyone would object if the bill revives ... military
\ndomination,\" Lydia said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
\"Military domination or an authoritarian power system would
\nharm the rights of civilians, and cause people to lose their
\nsovereignty,\" she said. \"We need to be extra cautious, careful
\nand diligent in reading the documents.<\/p>\n
\"The security and safety of the state must always be
\nprotected, but without oppressing the civilian rights of the
\npeople,\" she added.<\/p>\n
The other spokespersons were Taufiqurachman Ruki of the
\nmilitary faction, Muamal Hamidy of the United Development Party
\n(PPP), and Y.B. Wiyandjono of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(PDI).<\/p>\n
Wiyandjono queried chapters 15 and 18 of the bill on state
\nsecurity which would authorize the President to declare a state
\nof emergency, following consultation with the National Defense
\nCouncil and the Council for the Enforcement of Security and Law.<\/p>\n
\"Wouldn't the President need to consult the House first?\"
\nWiyandjono said.<\/p>\n
Muamal called for clarification of the term \"provocation in
\nall forms that aim to disturb the security and safety of the
\nstate\".<\/p>\n
He also warned of the potential of the military or emergency
\nauthorities to abuse the nonderogable rights of civilians when
\nthey sought to declare martial law.<\/p>\n
Muamal also said there was a possibility the bill could
\ntrample on human rights.<\/p>\n
Taufiqurachman of the military faction, however, said that if
\nadopted, the law on state security would rarely be called on. \"It
\ncan also be called a dormant law,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We should all hope and pray that the law would never be used
\nby the President in declaring a state of emergency.\"<\/p>\n
Observers have warned the bill on state security grants
\nexcessive power to the military and the government in the event
\nof perceived threats to the state. Parliament Watch Indonesia,
\nfor instance, said the bill ran counter to principles of
\ndemocracy and reform.<\/p>\n
The bill stipulates presidential authority to declare a state
\nof emergency in troubled territories. The President is also
\nallowed to delegate his or her authority to the military, which
\nis given free rein to handle threats to state security.<\/p>\n
It allows the military to carry out investigations and raids,
\nand take over all mail, telecommunications and electronic
\nfacilities. An emergency also allows a ban or limitation on
\ndemonstrations and print and electronic media.<\/p>\n
In the event of a state of emergency, the bill says the
\nmilitary chief would be permitted to resort to any measures, such
\nas barring demonstrations, which violates existing laws.<\/p>\n
The military would have full authority to prevent individuals
\nfrom entering or leaving the country, isolate \"troubled
\nindividuals and areas\" and set curfews. (swe)<\/p>",
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