President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has demanded that the House of Representatives conclude the revision of the Terrorism Law immediately, or he would issue a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to empower the state apparatus in the war against terror.
The revision to the Terrorism Law has been ongoing for more than two years. The revision was initiated after the terror attack on Jl. Thamrin in Jakarta on January 14, 2016.
Jokowi said the revision should be enacted by the next session, which begins on May 18, or he will issue the Perppu.
By law, a Perppu may only be issued during an emergency situation. The President’s statement comes amid a string of terror attacks in Surabaya, three of which occurred at churches in the city on Sunday, and one at the Surabaya Police headquarters on Monday morning.
“[The law] is an important legal umbrella for security apparatus and the National Police in their efforts to prevent and counter [terrorism],” Jokowi said on Monday.
“If [the revision] is still yet to be passed by the end of [the session] in June, I will issue a Perppu,” said Jokowi.
Source: Jakarta Post
Photo courtesy of Kompas.com