House agrees to drop the 1999 Emergency Law

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives has agreed to drop the 1999 emergency law and to provide some time for the government to draft and socialize the new emergency bill.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the government could have more time but underlined the needs to set up a new emergency law to avoid further used of the repressive 1959 emergency law.

"But we do understand and agree to give more time to the government," Akbar said.

The decision was made after a consultation meeting on Friday between the House leaders and several cabinet ministers -- Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D., Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra -- at the House leaders' meeting room.

"We have come to a new agreement as the House understands the government's decision to drop the 1999 emergency law and give us some flexible time to draft a new one," Yusril said at the joint media briefing after the meeting.

The law was enacted by the House in September 1999, but was later postponed indefinitely by then president B.J. Habibie following violent street protests by students.

At least five people were killed in the protests, the majority of the victims were shot by security forces.

Being aware of the importance of having a new emergency law, the House and the government have included the bill on emergency law on the list of 108 draft laws prioritized for deliberation during the 2001 fiscal year.

Due to its postponement, the country will currently apply Law No. 3/1959 that provides overwhelming power to the president in deciding the security status of the country and to legalize unrestricted military use to deal with certain conditions.

The law was used as a foundation for imposing the current state of civil emergency in Maluku and North Maluku provinces since July 2000.

Susilo said that the new draft of the emergency law will be far more accommodative and responsive to human rights values, the prerequisite in any democratic country.

"Although, the 1999 emergency law is far 'softer' than the valid (1959) emergency law, the government will not force the public to agree and enact the law," Susilo said.

He guaranteed to the public that the new bill will reflect the democratization process and conditions required of a civil society in the country. (dja)