Legislators welcome security law plan
Legislators welcome security law plan
JAKARTA (JP): The government's plan to introduce a national
security law has been warmly welcomed by members of the House of
Representatives, who want it to replace the outdated subversion
law.
Aisyah Amini, of the United Development Party faction, urged
the government Wednesday to present its national security bill to
the House as soon as possible.
"We have long been anxious about the existing subversion law
which allows the authorities to violate human rights for the sake
of national security," said Aisyah, who chairs House Commission I
for foreign affairs, defense and information.
Another legislator, Krissantono, of the dominant political
grouping Golkar, said that whatever the new bill is to be called
it should not allow the government to break the law for the sake
of national security or to stand unchallenged in disputes against
the people.
The two legislators were commenting on Armed Forces Chief Gen.
Feisal Tanjung's statement last week that he would agree to the
abolition of the 1963 Subversion Law if it was replaced by an
internal security act.
On Tuesday Attorney General Singgih, however, defended the
controversial law which was made under President Sukarno 34 years
ago in a bid to safeguard the "ongoing revolution." Subversion
carries a maximum penalty of death.
Aisyah said the subversion law is no longer relevant in an age
dominated by economic development.
"We need a national security act which clearly defines the
crimes which endanger the nation's existence," she said.
She added that the government interpreted the current
subversion law very broadly so that it could easily be applied
against individuals who had done no more than criticize the
government.
Krissantono said Indonesia displayed encouraging political
progress in 1988 when the People's Consultative Assembly dropped
the government's privilege to do anything unlawful to safeguard
national development.
"But the government has failed to abolish the subversion law,
despite people's growing awareness of democracy," he said.
Krissantono said revoking the subversion law would not be
adequate, however. In order to meet people's demands for
democratization, Indonesia needed consistent law enforcement and
improvements in the quality of human resources and size of
salaries.
"The continuing lax law enforcement has destroyed the public's
trust in justice. People have become cynical of the law and prone
to show their anger through rioting," he said. (amd)