Changes to Indonesia’s Anti-terror Laws Long Overdue

The Straits Times

31 May 2018

Indonesia’s Parliament finally passed amendments to the country’s anti-terror laws last Friday, more than two years after revisions designed to prevent attacks by terrorists were first proposed by the Joko Widodo administration.

A key concern that had caused the long delay in getting the Bill passed was a new clause that opens the door for the Indonesian armed forces, or TNI, to be activated for counter-terrorism operations on home soil, to support the police.

The concern stems from the culture of impunity in the TNI, said S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies analyst Emirza Adi Syailendra.

“Due to the legal loopholes and the lack of checks and balances from civilians on the military, there is fear that the involvement of TNI can lead to abuse of power,” he added.

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