Key changes made to controversial security bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives has made
\nsubstantial amendments to the controversial bill on state
\nsecurity, including a stipulation which allows the existing laws
\nto stand and human rights to be taken into account.<\/p>\n
Agus Muhyidin, chairman of the House working committee which
\nis deliberating the government-sponsored bill, said on Wednesday
\nthe only changes resulting from a declaration of a state of
\nemergency would concern the new authorities.<\/p>\n
\"The law will continue to prevail, and all regulations made by
\nthe new authorities must not violate human rights, despite the
\nemergency status,\" Agus told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
According to the previous draft, the military, which would
\ntake over the administration after an emergency status was
\ndeclared, had full authority to take any measures over violations
\nof the law, and could even impose a news blackout.<\/p>\n
The bill has met opposition from many quarters since it was
\nsubmitted in May to the House by the Ministry of Defense and
\nSecurity. Several students and prodemocracy activists were
\narrested on Wednesday when they staged rallies against the bill.<\/p>\n
Agus, a retired Army general, said the bill drew a wave of
\nprotests only because demonstrators were unaware of the
\nsubstantial changes made to the bill.<\/p>\n
According to the bill, the President is allowed to declare an
\nextraordinary state, a state of emergency, or a state of war in a
\nprovince or nationwide only after consulting or obtaining
\napproval from the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"This means the President or the Indonesian Military (TNI)
\ncommander would not be allowed to declare a state of emergency
\nunilaterally, as mentioned in the previous bill,\" Agus said.<\/p>\n
He said in an extraordinary state or a civilian emergency, a
\ngovernor would have the authority to isolate individuals and
\nclose a troubled area until law and order was restored.<\/p>\n
The revised bill states that in handling a civilian emergency,
\na governor would be aided by a special team comprising provincial
\npolice and military forces, provincial prosecutors, provincial
\nlegislative council and societal group representatives.<\/p>\n
Agus said in the case of a state of emergency, the
\nadministration would be taken over by the military, and the
\nmilitary administration would be assisted by a special team. The
\nteam would be comprised of the governor, provincial police,
\ngovernment prosecutors, provincial legislature and societal group
\nrepresentatives.<\/p>\n
\"The military administration would be allowed to carry out
\ninvestigations and operations, recruit individuals for military
\nduty, and regulate land, air and sea transportation in an attempt
\nto restore law and order,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Agus said the bill, slated to be passed into law on Sept. 23,
\nalso said that a civilian emergency would be imposed for three
\nmonths only, while a state of emergency would be imposed for six
\nmonths at the longest, and extended only after approval from the
\nlegislative body.<\/p>\n
Agus said the House would remain open for any input and
\nconstructive criticism. He said the House would take all
\nsubmissions into consideration in order to make necessary
\ncorrections to the bill before it was passed into law.<\/p>\n
Observers have warned that the bill grants excessive power to
\nthe military and the government, running counter to principles of
\ndemocracy and reform. Concerns have been aired about the timing
\nof the bill, because it was submitted to the House just before
\nthe upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense\/Indonesian Military chief Gen. Wiranto
\ndenied the accusations, arguing that such a law was commonplace
\nin many other countries, including a democratic country such as
\nthe United States. (rms)<\/p>",
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