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nder a democratic political system, people’s aspirations are supposed to be channeled through government — in Indonesia’s case, through the House of Representatives. In practice, people more frequently approach pressure groups in order to get their aspirations heard as the House often fails to listen to voices other than those of their political constituencies. Such an approach has been made with regard to the counterterrorism issue.

In compliance with pressure from rights groups over the controversial death of alleged terrorist Siyono, the House of Representatives (DPR) decided on Friday to create provisions to ensure “the accountability and transparency” of the National Police’s counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, in the terrorism bill.

The bold move was made after the House received evidence related to Siyono’s death from several human rights groups, including the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), suggesting that Siyono had indeed died due to alleged torture carried out by Densus 88.

Muhammad Syafi’i, chairman of the House special committee for the terrorism bill, told The Jakarta Post in an interview that the planned provisions were “a top priority” for deliberation in the next sitting period.

“All of the factions within the committee have agreed that Siyono’s death was mired with controversy due to the lack of transparency and accountability in counterterrorism operations conducted by Densus 88,” Syafi’i said after a discussion on terrorism sponsored by the Muhammadiyah Muslim organization in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Syafi’i was participating in the discussion along with human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, Kontras coordinator Haris Azhar, Komnas HAM commissioner Maneger Nasution and Muhammadiyah Youth Association chairman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.

Syafi’i said the planned provisions would be, among other things, an obligation for Densus 88 to disclose its financial condition, a supervision measure for the counterterrorism unit, and criminal sentences for any of its members proved to have committed a criminal act while duty.

“A supervisory measure is important in order to ensure that Densus 88 upholds human rights when dealing with a suspected terrorist,” Syafi’i said.

The police’s Internal Affairs Division is in the midst of conducting an ethics hearing with regard to the behavior of the two Densus 88 members responsible for Siyono, having driven Siyono from his house in Klaten, Central Java, following his arrest on March 8, to the police interrogation center.

Siyono died while in police custody, four days after his arrest. His body showed signs of torture as it was covered with wounds and blood.

“The ethics hearing will asses whether the Densus 88 members breached the code of conduct. However, given the fact that Siyono died due to torture, there should be a criminal procedure,” Syafi’i, also a Gerindra Party politician, added.

Todung said Siyono’s death had provided sufficient impetus for the House and the government to establish a special supervisory body to monitor Densus 88 operations.

“The team could be led by either Komnas HAM or the Indonesian Ombudsman,” Todung said, adding that without a special monitoring measure Densus 88 could “transform into a more dangerous monster than the terrorists themselves”.

Haris of Kontras said the House had to take a look at the plan to establish such a supervisory body, given the fact that Densus 88 had abused its power in previous operations prior to Siyono’s death.

“Densus 88 must bow to the law for it is a special unit that is responsible for carrying out special counterterrorism operations,” he said. (mos)