Recent terror attacks across the world, including last week’s bombing of Kampung Melayu Transjakarta station in East Jakarta, has acted as a wake up call the Indonesian government to resolve anti-terror law reforms.
To better address terrorism in Indonesia, several political parties have urged the People’s Representative Council to finalise the law reforms. Revisions to the 2003 law on terrorism began last year.
“Currently, we have to wait for the incident first. After terrorism incidents happen, only then we are able to take actions. We should be taking actions way before incidents happen. Preventive actions are vital,” Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said.
Revisions are hoped to include the authority for the apparatus to detain anyone who are suspected to have involvements with any terrorist group. Additionally, Indonesian National Armed Forces’ (TNI) involvement to tackle terrorism is hoped to be included as well.
“We know that without strict rules, it is extremely difficult to fight terrorism. Other countries have already implemented strict laws,” said Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto.
“Give authorization for TNI to be involved in anti-terrorism law. Of course with reasons that the Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs had carefully considered,” President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said Monday, May 29.
“In relation to security, we want society to feel completely secure especially during Ramadan. […] in response to all the attacks and terrorist threats, I would like the People’s Representative Council to conclude the anti-terrorism law revisions sooner,” Jokowi said.
That said, there are some worries if some strict laws are included, it may create possibilities to abuse other regulations. Draft of the revisions created in 2016 have the potential to violate human rights.
“We will guarantee there would be no abuse to the regulations. We hope society’s worry over this may subside,” Wiranto said.
Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly said law revisions are not targeted at implementing the Internal Security Act.
“Anti-terrorism law will be revised, however, it would not be as repressive as Singapore or Malaysia,” Laoly said at the Premier Hospital on Sunday, May 28.
The government has ensured ISA would never be implemented as an anti-terror measure focusing on terrorists and their networks, hence it would not violate any human rights.
See: Islamic State Claim Kampung Melayu Bomb
Image credit: Asli Indonesia