Draft of Terrorism Law Expected to Accommodate Preventive Efforts: Pilice

Jakarta, (Antara) - Indonesian National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian expects that the revision of the Anti-Terrorism Law will strengthen efforts to prevent acts of terror and allow legal action to be taken against behaviors leading to terror.

"We want preventive measures to be accommodated in this law, so that a truly systematic and comprehensive approach is in place to prevent acts of terror," he stated at the Police Hospital of Said Sukanto in East Jakarta on Friday night.

In addition to the rule of law that serves as a preventive measure, another important aspect that needs to be regulated is the implementation of a rehabilitation program for those influenced by radical thinking.

"Thirdly, we want to criminalize several initial acts of terrorism," he stated.

Initial acts of terrorism included several military exercises often organized by terrorist groups before committing acts of terror.

"According to their thought process, there is no 'jihad' (holy war) without iddad (preparation and training). Hence, such training activities must be criminalized," he pointed out.

So far, the Indonesian National Police has not been able to catch people who have participated in such training before they are proven to have committed acts of terror.

"If they use wooden weapons and airsoft guns, we cannot catch them. They scale the mountain for a training camp. Actually, the intention of the camping activity is part of the iddad (preparation) to carry out a terror attack, so it should be criminalized or prosecuted. Many activities should be criminalized before the terror acts occur," he stated.

In addition, the person who is found to be part of a terrorist network should be prosecuted.

"Another example is that after mapping a terrorist organization, a person who is part of such an outfit can be convicted as long as it can be proven that he or she is involved in the organization. Hence, we are automatically more powerful in dealing with terrorism cases," he explained.

Karnavian expressed hope that the draft law on terrorism would be completed soon and enacted in order to serve as a legal umbrella for the Indonesian National Police in maintaining security in the country.

"The draft law on terrorism is expected to be completed soon and enacted to ensure national security," he added.(*)