Committee to discuss terrorism bills

JAKARTA: The Steering Committee of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday assigned a 50-strong special committee to deal with the debate process relating to the stopgap antiterror regulations and the passage of antiterrorism bills.

Deputy House speaker Muhaimin Iskandar, who presided over the meeting, confirmed the deliberation mechanism would be determined by the committee itself.

"The committee will decide whether to discuss the government regulations or the bills first," Muhaimin said.

As the special committee was just set up on Tuesday, the deliberation on the terrorism bills would begin during the next sitting, starting Jan. 3.

Previously, leaders of all factions had pledged to finish the deliberation of the bills during the current session.

Legislators will end this session on Friday and will have a one-month recess. -- JP