'Terrorist suspects need protection'

'Terrorist suspects need protection'

JAKARTA: Religious leaders said here on Monday that the anti-
terrorism bill currently being deliberated upon by the House of
Representatives (DPR) did not provide adequate protection for
suspected terrorists.

They said the bill gives society a measure of protection from
possible terrorist attacks but provides insufficient protection
for the suspects.

"The bill threatens human rights, so there must be some
revisions," said Rev. Notoseputro of the Indonesian Bishops'
Council (KWI) during a hearing with a House committee
deliberating the government-sponsored bill.

The bill would allow investigators to freeze bank accounts of
suspected terrorists.

"This will cause financial hardship for the terror suspect and
his family," Notoseputro added.

Also present at the hearing were Chalid of the Indonesian
Council of Ulemas (MUI) and Nathan Setiabudi of the Indonesian
Communion of Churches (PGI).

The committee also invited political analysts and intelligence
officials to hear their input. -- JP