Defense bill passed into law

Defense bill passed into law

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) passed a bill
mandating the creation of a council to help the President develop
a policy on national defense into law Monday.

Under the legislation, the creation of the National Defense
Council, Wantanas, will help assist President Megawati formulate
a general policy on the nation's defense, aimed specifically at
safeguarding territorial integrity.

The law stipulates that the policy must be geared towards
defense of Indonesia from threats both internal and external.

It also requires that the National Military chief is appointed
and terminated by the President on the approval of the House of
Representatives.

"The law needs to be socialized soon, so that the public will
have clear understanding about it," said Defense Minister Matori
Abdul Djalil. --JP