House to deliberate state security bill

House to deliberate state security bill

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) agreed on
Thursday to deliberate the widely criticized bills on state
security and on a civilian militia, despite public calls that it
drop the Ministry of Defense-sponsored documents.

Spokespersons of the four factions of the House, however,
qualified their agreement with criticism that the documents
sought to grant the administration excessive power. They said the
House would be relegated to a position where it would not have
any power at all in determining the necessity for a state of
emergency or the imposition of martial law.

The decision to deliberate the bills was made at a plenary
session led by deputy chairman Hari Sabarno, and was attended by
Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief
Gen. Wiranto.

Lydia Arlini Riandji of the ruling Golkar said an agreement
should be reached over what constitutes "the security of the
state" in order to prevent one party from imposing its own
definition on the matter.

"Everyone would object if the bill revives ... military
domination," Lydia said as quoted by Antara.

"Military domination or an authoritarian power system would
harm the rights of civilians, and cause people to lose their
sovereignty," she said. "We need to be extra cautious, careful
and diligent in reading the documents.

"The security and safety of the state must always be
protected, but without oppressing the civilian rights of the
people," she added.

The other spokespersons were Taufiqurachman Ruki of the
military faction, Muamal Hamidy of the United Development Party
(PPP), and Y.B. Wiyandjono of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI).

Wiyandjono queried chapters 15 and 18 of the bill on state
security which would authorize the President to declare a state
of emergency, following consultation with the National Defense
Council and the Council for the Enforcement of Security and Law.

"Wouldn't the President need to consult the House first?"
Wiyandjono said.

Muamal called for clarification of the term "provocation in
all forms that aim to disturb the security and safety of the
state".

He also warned of the potential of the military or emergency
authorities to abuse the nonderogable rights of civilians when
they sought to declare martial law.

Muamal also said there was a possibility the bill could
trample on human rights.

Taufiqurachman of the military faction, however, said that if
adopted, the law on state security would rarely be called on. "It
can also be called a dormant law," he said.

"We should all hope and pray that the law would never be used
by the President in declaring a state of emergency."

Observers have warned the bill on state security grants
excessive power to the military and the government in the event
of perceived threats to the state. Parliament Watch Indonesia,
for instance, said the bill ran counter to principles of
democracy and reform.

The bill stipulates presidential authority to declare a state
of emergency in troubled territories. The President is also
allowed to delegate his or her authority to the military, which
is given free rein to handle threats to state security.

It allows the military to carry out investigations and raids,
and take over all mail, telecommunications and electronic
facilities. An emergency also allows a ban or limitation on
demonstrations and print and electronic media.

In the event of a state of emergency, the bill says the
military chief would be permitted to resort to any measures, such
as barring demonstrations, which violates existing laws.

The military would have full authority to prevent individuals
from entering or leaving the country, isolate "troubled
individuals and areas" and set curfews. (swe)