Stay alert: Personnel from the National Police's counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, stand guard during an operation in Jakarta. (Kompas)

House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs has agreed to increase the budget for the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) to bolster the agency in its battle to eradicate terrorism..

The decision to support the budget increase proposal was made at a hearing between members of Commission III and BNPT officials on Monday.

The budget increase will help the BNPT recruit more personnel to support the establishment of a stronger institution, both structurally and functionally, Commission III chairman Trimedya Panjaitan said on Monday.

Earlier, BNPT chairman Saud Usman said that with the old allocation of Rp 311 billion (US$22.35 million), his institution could not optimally carry out its tasks, particularly deradicalization programs.

This year, the government has allocated Rp 330 billion plus Rp 200 billion to purchase land for the agency's new headquarters.

"With the existing allocation, there are so many routine activities that we can't execute. We have received funds for de-radicalization programs from outside institutions, but we still don't have enough money to do everything we need to," Saud said.

Trimedya said Commission III also encouraged the BNPT to enhance cooperation with other government agencies such as the National Police, National Intelligence Agency (BIN), Indonesian Military (TNI) and related ministries, especially the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker Junimart Girsang said that  Commission III would support the BNPT's efforts to obtain adequate funds from the state budget needed to strengthen its role in coordinating related agencies to fight terrorism. (bbn)(+)

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