Introductory Remarks of the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on 21 January 2016

Unofficial English Translation

Assalamu’alaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The limited cabinet meeting this afternoon will discuss two items on the agenda. First, the program on terrorism prevention and deradicalization. Second, priority bills included in the 2016 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

Several days ago, I met the heads of state institutions, and at the meeting, I said that preventing acts of terrorism is considered necessary and urgent. It also needs a clearer, stronger and more comprehensive legal basis, so the security forces will not hesitate to take action on the ground.

The meeting, however, has not reached an agreement whether the legal basis will take the form of a revision of the Law, a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu), or a new law. It also needs further discussion with the House of Representatives (DPR).

Along with the improvement in the Law, I instruct the Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), and Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) to strengthen synergy among intelligence agencies. Egocentricity and compartmentalization should be put aside.

I also want the intelligence community to improve their counter-terror ability, particularly in detecting or preventing acts of terror. They must focus on the efforts to weaken the power of terrorism, starting from their ideology, leadership, organization networking, and finance.

I also ask the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Communication and Informatics, and National Counterterrorism Agency to focus more on the efforts to counter radicalization in the society as well as to carry out the deradicalization programs to for detainees and former detainees charged with terrorism. Deradicalization must be followed by monitoring, accompanying former detainees charged with terrorism upon returning to their community.

After this meeting, there would be a discussion on priority bills included in the 2016 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

That was my introductory remarks. I would like to invite the Coordinating Minister or the Minister to deliver his remarks. (Humas) (RAS/AW/YM/Naster)