New BIN chief to fight separatism and terror

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Syamsir Siregar was sworn in as the new head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday, promising to fight separatism and terrorism.

Syamsir said he would wipe out all separatist movements in the country and would put an end to terrorism on Indonesian soil, though he failed to explain how he would achieve these goals.

"There should be no more separatist movements here, although I understand that separatism should be settled with dignity and justice," Syamsir said.

When asked about terrorism, he said he would study the intelligence bill being discussed at the State Secretariat.

The bill, drafted during the administration of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, gives the intelligence agency wide-ranging powers, including the power to arrest and detain terrorist suspects.

Human rights campaigners have denounced the bill as running counter to the values of democracy.

A former military intelligence chief, Syamsir replaces A.M. Hendropriyono as the head of BIN. Hendropriyono resigned his post the day Susilo was sworn into office on Oct. 20.

Syamsir takes over the intelligence agency at a time of great public doubt over its ability to anticipate and prevent terrorist attacks. There have been several major bombings in Indonesia over the past two years blamed on the Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist network.

Observers also have criticized the government for opting for a military operation to end the separatist rebellion in Aceh instead of an intelligence operation, which they say would have been far less costly in terms of money and human losses but more effective.

Unlike previous BIN chiefs, Syamsir is not a member of the Cabinet.

"That's good for me because I won't have to rush to attend Cabinet meetings, but instead can just report directly to the President," Syamsir said.

Attending Syamsir's inauguration were a number of Cabinet members, Regional Representatives Council Speaker Ginandjar Kartasasmita and new State Audit Agency chief Anwar Nasution.

There was a minor hiccup as Syamsir took his oath of office. The new intelligence chief froze up during the part of the oath about receiving gifts, forcing Susilo to repeat the lines.

"I repeat, 'I should not receive any gifts for any reason from any person on account of my position,'" Susilo said while looking at Syamsir, who stood still and again failed to repeat the words.

The President simply continued and Syamsir was able to repeat the rest of the oath.