Gov’t to Complete Revision of Law on Anti-Terrorism

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto accompanied by Secretaries General of the parties supporting the Government deliver press statement, at his official residence in Jakarta, on Monday (14/10). (Photo by: Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs’ Public Relations)

The Indonesian Government and the House of Representatives (DPR) agreed that the revision of Law on Anti-Terrorism which has been discussed over the past two years to be completed soon.

In a press conference after a meeting with Secretaries General of the Government’s Coalition Parties in Jakarta, on Monday (14/5), Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs said that all constraints and obstacles during the revision process have been overcome and related parties that different views have reached an agreement. The revised Law is expected to be enacted in the near future.

According to Wiranto, parties involved in the revision process are ready to finalize the last draft of Law on Anti-Terrorism’s revision. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo also orders to immediately complete it.

“In this meeting, we agree that it is better not to issue a Regulation in lieu of Law (Perppu),” Wiranto said.

Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister continued, there are two crucial issues that were previously unfinished in the draft of the revision, namely the definition of terrorism and involvement of Indonesian National Defense Force (TNI). Now, related parties have reached an agreement over both issues.

Regarding the President’s plan to issue Perppu, the Coordinating Minister said, it will be done if the agreement between the Government and DPR is not reached.

For the record, the issuance of Perppu can only be carried out if urgent conditions occur, while the existing laws cannot help to solve the problem and the process to make a new law takes a long time.

“But if this revision is completed in a short time, it’s certainly effective to solve terrorism problems,” Wiranto said.

In the meantime, related to terrorism act during the past few days, the Coordinating Minister encouraged people to stay calm and do their daily activities without fear. The security forces will increase protection for the people and surrounding areas.

“The President has ordered police officers to be assisted by the TNI to do their best to maintain national security as well as public order,” Wiranto concluded.

Also attending the event were the Secretaries General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto, the National Awakening Party (PKB) Abdul Kadir Karding, the United Development Party (PPP) Arsul Sani, the Golkar Party Lodewijk Paulus, the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Raja Juli Antoni, the United Indonesia Party (Perindo) Ahmad Rofiq, and the Hanura Party Herry Lontung. Beside these Secretaries General, the meeting was also attended by the Deputy Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Bara K. Hasibuan, the Chairman of PDIP Fraction Utut Adianto, the Chairman of Golkar Fraction Melchias M. Mekeng, the Chairman of PKB Fraction Cucun A. Syamsulrijal, and the Chairman of PPP Fraction Reni Maulinawati. (Humas Kemenko Polhukam/ES) (GWH/MMB/Naster)