ABRI to submit revised bill on national safety to House
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday the military would soon submit the revised bill on national safety and security to the House of Representatives.
"The bill will be submitted immediately to the House to replace the revoked law on subversion and it will be a legal basis for the establishment of the unarmed civilian militia," he said at the job transfer ceremony from the secretary-general of the defense and security ministry, Lt. Gen. (ret) Soeyono, to Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi.
He emphasized the bill's importance, saying the government wanted the document to be enacted for the sake of the state's safety.
"We do need legislation to maintain the state's security following the (planned) lifting of the 1963 law on subversion," he said.
He did not give details on the bill except that its substance would be in accordance with needs of a modern situation and would respect human rights.
The subversion law is widely condemned as infringing on human rights. Although the House has yet to revoke it, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decided last November to replace it with legislation on national security.
The national security bill was actually introduced in 1989 but it was rejected by the House.
Wiranto said ABRI has made many changes to the bill, adding it would provide legal basis for the establishment of the militia, itself a source of contention.
Thousands of youths in provinces have been recruited for training. They will be deployed to help the National Police maintain security.
Many groups in society, including the House, have opposed the plan because they fear the militia will be pitted against student and youth demonstrators.
House Commission I for defense and security ultimately supported the militia proposal following an assurance from ABRI the members would not armed and would be deployed only to maintain security in housing complexes and industrial zones. ABRI also agreed the militia's establishment would be based on a law.
Separation
Wiranto also said that effective in April, the National Police would temporarily be placed under the defense and security ministry's jurisdiction during the transition process before its permanent separation from the Armed Forces.
"The separation of the Police and the Armed Forces is expected to start this April. Before a permanent separation, the National Police will be, for the time being, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense and Security."
Wiranto said the ministry was occupied dealing with the bill and the planned separation.
Widespread criticism preceded the decision to separate the National Police from ABRI. Military and political observers argued the National Police should not be included in the combat armed forces because its main tasks were to enforce the law and maintain security and order in society. (rms)