Truth commission bill discussed

JAKARTA: A special committee at the House of Representatives on Wednesday began deliberating a bill on establishing a truth and reconciliation commission.

Legislator Sidharto Danusubroto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) was selected chairman of the committee, which was set up on July 9.

The bill will, among other things, rule about setting up a commission to settle gross human rights violations and to facilitate reconciliations.

He was accompanied by Akil Mochtar and Sofwan Chudorie from Golkar and the National Awakening Party factions respectively.

Sidharto called on the 50-strong committee to be intensive during deliberations and to finish the bill before the end of the legislative period in September next year.

Committee member Hajriyanto Y. Thohari of the Golkar faction suggested the committee allow the public to give input for the discussion. - JP