House to revise law on antiterrorism after bombing

Kurniawan Hari and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Major factions in the House of Representatives (DPR) are to revise the Antiterrorism Law, but aside from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), they are not keen on giving more power to security authorities in the fight against terror.

The factions' stance is that they want to avoid the possible rebirth of an authoritarian regime by not endowing more power to the military or the police.

The government recently announced its intention to have the House revise newly enacted Law No. 15/2003 on antiterrorism, following the JW Marriott Hotel bombing that killed at least 12 and injured almost 150 others. The proposed revision was aimed at giving more power to the military -- not the police -- to deal with the increasing terror threat.

Defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil had proposed that the country adopt the Internal Security Act (ISA) enforced in Malaysia and Singapore, but his idea met with general opposition. Opponents of the ISA said it was akin to the country's draconian subversion law, and its enforcement could revert Indonesia to an authoritarian system.

Entering the reform era, the government annulled the subversion law and supporting institutions, which were used by the Soeharto regime to wipe out dissident groups and maintain the status quo for more than three decades.

United Development Party (PPP) faction secretary Endin A.J. Soefihara said the core problem in counterterrorism efforts was not that the security forces lacked power, but that they lacked coordination. He was speaking on Wednesday after the faction's internal meeting to discuss the issue.

National Awakening Party (PKB) faction chairman Amin Said Husni said they would be cautious in revising the law, to prevent any possible revival of an authoritarian regime and violations of human rights.

The Golkar Party and Reform factions also suggested that security authorities improve coordination, rather than seek more power to combat terrorism.

Permadi, PDI Perjuangan legislator and member of House Commission I on defense and security, hailed the government's decision to revise the Antiterrorism Law. He said the law still had many loopholes that allowed terrorist groups to be active in the country, since it was deliberated quickly.

"The option is whether we prioritize democracy or to get bombed," he said, referring to the increase in terrorist attacks.

Matori also expressed his support for the government's intention to revise the law.

"If necessary, not only the police force, but also intelligence officers should be given the authority to arrest suspected terrorists," he said.

Matori acknowledged that his proposal might draw strong criticisms from advocates of democracy and human rights, but that such an authority would enable security forces to quell terrorism.

"Terrorism is an extraordinary crime, and it must be prevented from destroying the country," he said.

Matori also said that, as terrorist attacks often resulted in a heavy loss of human life, it could damage national stability.

Without national stability, Indonesia will not be able to maintain its vast territorial integrity nor sustain economic recovery, he said.

"In this light, national security forces should eventually be given more power to prevent terrorist attacks and ensure national stability," said Matori.

As of Wednesday, the House had not yet received the government's draft revision of the law.