Antiterrorism bill to be deliberated

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite opposition from human rights activists, the government and the House of Representatives agreed on Monday to start deliberations on the antiterrorism bill as part of its effort to combat terrorism in the country.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the proposed law would provide legal grounds for upholding national security from possible terrorist attacks.

"In a very short time, we will submit the antiterrorism bill to the House for further deliberation," he told a news conference after a consultative meeting between the government and the House.

The meeting was also attended by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and National Intelligence Body (BIN) chief A.M. Hendropriyono.

Minister Yusril said the bill was almost ready and currently in the hands of Coordinating Minister Susilo for further reading.

"By the end of this month, we hope to inform the public about its contents, get input from them and then put it before the House," he said.

Yusril said the bill identifies seven kinds of terrorist activities as opposed to ordinary crimes.

Anyone carrying weapons, explosives or chemical substances that threaten the public's safety and could be used for terrorist attacks could be charged with conducting terrorism.

Other activities, such as bombing supermarkets, destroying public facilities or vital infrastructure and foreign premises, would also be categorized as terrorist activities.

"Those activities would come under the planned antiterrorism law, while other crimes, such as murders, will be under the criminal code," he said.

Human rights activists have voiced their opposition against the drafting of the antiterrorism bill, fearing that the bill -- when passed into law -- could be used by power holders to silence critics or political opponents.

Despite the opposition, the government has insisted on continuing the draft of the antiterrorism bill in an apparent effort to ease foreign pressure, especially from the U.S., which has asked Indonesia to do more in its fight against terrorism.

Indonesia has been accused by a number of foreign countries of being a safe haven for terrorists linked to al-Qaeda.

The government and security authorities initially denied the accusation, but as pressure mounts from foreign countries, including the U.S., security forces have started to take serious action against alleged terrorists.

The National Police have arrested and deported a suspected senior al-Qaeda operative, Omar al-Faruq, and detained another suspected terrorist, Seyam Reda, a German national of Arab descent.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Monday that he would send a team of three policemen and intelligence officers to the U.S. to interrogate al-Faruq.

"We have gotten a green light from the U.S. government, and we'll decide when we're going to leave," he said.