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Govt backs TNI's role in anti-terror law
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Members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) prepare to sweep the areas of Watutau, Lore Peore of Poso regency in Central Sulawesi in the hunt for Indonesia's most wanted terrorist Santoso, aka Abu Wardah, hiding with his guerrillas in mountainous forests in the area in this photo taken on March 23. (ANTARA FOTO/Fiqman Sunandar)
T
he government is insisting on including the role of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in the revision of the Terrorism Law in its efforts to safeguard the country against the threat of terrorism, a minister said on Wednesday.
Indonesia should not rely only on the National Police's anti-terrorist squad Densus 88 amid the rising global threat of terrorism, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said. The government is considering whether to combine the force with the TNI to strengthen security measures.
"The police will still lead, but [military involvement] is inevitable. They should be integrated and we will not hesitate in doing so," Luhut told journalists on Wednesday.
The TNI's involvement is in accordance with the 2004 TNI Law which states the force could be involved in non-military operations including anti-terrorism operations. It could also minimize the possibility of terror attacks from happening in the future, he added.
Luhut brushed off concern by human rights activists and the wider public opposed to military involvement over fears of power abuse and securitization. The fear is that a stronger military role would see the TNI regain the power it held under late dictator Soeharto's New Order regime but Luhut has insisted that will not happen again.
The revision of the Terrorism Law is currently being deliberated between the House of Representatives and the government and is expected to be completed by August, Luhut added. (rin)
