PLAN TO INCLUDE MILITARY'S ROLE IN LAW ON TERRORISM TRIGGERS DEBATES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 27 (Antara) - The House of Representatives (DPR) is revising Law No. 15 of 2003 on Terrorism, but the plan to include the Indonesian Defense Forces' (TNI's) involvement in counterterrorism in the draft revision still raises debates.          The main task of the TNI is to defend the state, while the National Police (Polri) is responsible for maintaining public order and security in the country. Terrorism is viewed as a threat to the security of the state.          Hence, in combating terrorism, the Polri has, so far, been assisted by the TNI. To this end, Law No. 15 of 2004 was issued to offer a legal basis to the TNI to provide assistance in the fight against terrorism.          Therefore, momentum for the revision of Law No. 15 of 2003 has triggered debates on whether TNI's involvement in counterterrorism operations needs to be included in the revised law. Some believe it was important to synergize the roles of the Polri and TNI in the revised law, though some others rejected it.