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a national security law has been warmly welcomed by members of the House of Representatives, who want it to replace the outdated subversion law.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)