State security bill 'could snuff out democracy': Parwi

JAKARTA (JP): Observers warn that 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 (Parwi) chairman Kemal Roemawi urged the House of Representatives to drop the government- sponsored bill, which will be deliberated next month.

Roemawi contended the bill ran counter to principles of democracy and reform.

"The bill will raise suspicion, unrest and anger among people because it was submitted to the House only weeks before the incoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly," he said in a media statement, a copy of which was available to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The bill stipulates the presidential authority to declare a state of emergency in troubled territories. The president also is 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 public exposure through 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 violated existing laws.

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

Kemal said the bill was reminiscent of the oppressive New Order regime's method of handling problems during its 32-year rule.

"All components of this nation are now of the same opinion that such an approach should be abandoned because (it's inappropriate) in the reform era, in creating a new Indonesia and upholding democracy," he said.

He warned that the bill, if passed into law, could be abused by the next government and the military for their own interests on the pretext of preserving national stability.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) also protested the bill and called on the House to reject it for the same reasons cited by Parwi.

Antigraft activist Bambang Widjoyanto said the bill could be abused by the security authorities and the next regime "to kill" the fledgling democracy.

"The bill is similar to the law on subversion which was revoked last year," he said in a dialog with House Commission I on defense and security on Tuesday.

House Commission I chairwoman Aisyah Aminy pledged to deliberate the bill cautiously and take public opinion into consideration.

"No bills have been passed without serious deliberation by the House, and none ever will."

She said her United Development Party (PPP) faction was soliciting opinions from the public, legal and political experts and non-governmental organizations.

Maj. Gen. Budi Santoso, deputy chairman of the House's military faction, said his faction would accept criticism, ideas and thoughts over the new bill before the document's deliberation.

He believed the bill was intended to invest the government and the military with adequate authority to take necessary measures in handling troubled territories such as Aceh, Irian Jaya and Riau.

He said the government and the military would still need to consult with regional administrations and legislatures before resorting to emergency measures. (rms)