New security council members briefed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie on Friday briefed the
\nleaders of five religious councils about the formation of the
\nCouncil for Enforcement of Security and Law, assuring them that
\nthe new body was more of a consultative forum rather than an
\noperational institution.<\/p>\n
The President explained the inclusion of representatives from
\nthe five councils as members of the body was meant to ensure that
\nthe people's interests were represented.<\/p>\n
"This council in principle is more like a consultative forum,
\nand a policy making forum to enforce security and the system of
\nlaw ... (we) need immediate and integrated policies to overcome
\nthe impact of the crisis, in sectors of politics, the economy and
\nour social culture," the council's secretary, Jimly Asshiddiqie,
\nquoted the President as saying.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by Jimly and Minister of Religious Affairs Malik
\nFajar, Habibie received Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy
\nchairman Amidhan, chairman of the Indonesian Communion of
\nChurches (PGI) Sularso Sopater, and Noto Seputro, executive
\nsecretary of the Indonesian Bishops Council (KWI). Also present
\nwas chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHBI) Putu
\nSoekreta Soeranta and Buddhist Council (Walubi) chairwoman Siti
\nHartati Murdaya.<\/p>\n
During the meeting at Merdeka Palace, the President assured
\nthe religious council leaders the new council would not work like
\nthe repressive Operational Command for the Restoration of
\nSecurity and Order which operated from the 1970s to 1988.<\/p>\n
According to Jimly, the President likened the new council to
\nthe Economic and Financial Resilience Council, which is chaired
\nby Habibie.<\/p>\n
"This council just decides the policy, while its operations
\nwill be directly linked with the functions of related
\ninstitutions which are also its members," Jimly said.<\/p>\n
The establishment of the 34 member council, including 23
\nCabinet members, was announced last Tuesday. However, the
\nPresident, who chairs the body, signed the body into existence
\nthrough decree No. 191, dated Nov. 9.<\/p>\n
Habibie appointed Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed
\nForces Chief Gen. Wiranto to head a smaller executive committee
\ncomprised of 14 members, including 10 Cabinet members.<\/p>\n
According to Jimly, the chairpersons of the five religious
\ngroups serve ex officio as members of the new council.<\/p>\n
Jimly insisted that all of the religious leaders had been
\ninformed they were being recruited to the new council before any
\ndecisions were made.<\/p>\n
"Of course before the establishment, everything had been made
\nclear, so there was no problem," he asserted.<\/p>\n
However, some of the religious leaders, including those from
\nthe KWI and MUI, said that they had not been fully informed about
\ntheir involvement in the new council. Marzuki Darusman, the new
\nchairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, had also
\nsaid that he had not been informed of his involvement beforehand,
\nbut would be willing to serve on the council.<\/p>\n
"We are very surprised, as it was announced without prior
\nconsultation with us. Secondly, we have yet to know the mission
\nand the goal of the council," Noto said.<\/p>\n
Noto said that KWI was ready to work hand in hand with other
\nreligious groups and the government, but stated that the church
\ncan not get involved in politics.<\/p>\n
MUI deputy chairman Ali Yafie on Friday in Bandung, West Java,
\nsaid that his organization had not received any official
\nnotification from the government on its inclusion in the council.<\/p>\n
"However, MUI is taking this in good faith, (and believes) it
\nis absolutely needed to prioritize the efforts (to maintain)
\nnational resilience," Antara quoted the ulema as saying after
\naddressing a meeting organized by Universitas Islam Bandung.<\/p>\n
Marzuki said on Tuesday that he was not officially informed of
\nhis inclusion on the council before the announcement, but
\nexpressed his readiness to join the team.<\/p>\n
The President is expected to chair the council's first meeting
\nbefore Christmas, Jimly said. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-security-council-members-briefed-1447893297",
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