TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Lawmakers want military to combat terrorists and drug traffickers
The Indonesian Army's Special Forces, Kopassus, perform in a military parade
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
T
span class="caption">The Indonesian Army's Special Forces, Kopassus, perform in a military parade. Kopassus is one of the best anti-terror forces in the world. (Tempo)
Lawmakers want the Indonesian Military to play a broader role, beyond just international defense, and assist in the battle against terrorism and drugs, a House of Representatives member said.
Member of the House Mahfudz Siddiq said the military should help police to deal with global security issues such as terrorism, separatism and drug trafficking, in order to make efforts more effective.
'The military must be involved more [in helping police to enforce the law],' Mahfudz told reporters recently.
Since the Jakarta terrorism attack on Jan. 14, the government has sent thousands of special troops to Poso in Central Sulawesi to join a police counterterrorism operation, chasing the country's most-wanted terrorist Santoso, the leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT).
Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan has called previously for the military to play a role in counterterrorism efforts.
'One of the military's additional jobs is to fight against terrorism,' he said. (vps/dan)
