"The national action plan on handling terrorism is important, but the Densus 88 squads facilities are decrepit," he stated at a joined hearing of the government with the Houses commissions overseeing defense and security issues, and legal affairs here.
During the hearing, the government was represented by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, chief of National Police, Attorney Generals Office, the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the Law and Human Rights Ministry.
Pandjaitan noted that the polices antiterrorism squad could be empowered by offering support in the form of an additional budget, more personnel, as well as through the implementation of advanced technology and improved organizational structure.
Pandjaitan said he had even discussed matters related to the empowerment of the Densus 88 squads organizational structure and human resources with President Joko Widodo and National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti.
"The additional budget will be provided as we need to laud our National Police for its success in handling the January 14 terrorist attack on a police post and Starbucks coffee shop near Central Jakartas Sarinah shopping mall. We seek the Houses support to upgrade the technology used by the antiterrorism squad," he emphasized.
Pandjaitan also elaborated on the revision of Anti-Terrorism Law Number 15/2003, urging the House to take an immediate step to follow it up, taking into account its significant role in the governments preventive measures to deal with the threats and acts of terrorism.
By revising the antiterrorism law, the governments related agencies would be able to gain information to expose terrorist networks and conduct operations to detain suspects for a period of seven days.
"This will help us minimize the possibilities of terrorist groups launching their attacks. The police can work well with the BIN," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti stated that 17 people were allegedly involved in the January 14 assault, which led to the deaths of eight people, including three innocent civilians, and caused injuries to more than 20 others. The police managed to foil their plan to launch an attack on the 2015 Christmas Eve.
Haiti also explained that the January 14 attackers did not have sufficient budget to launch their attack, for which they had merely spent Rp900 thousand for making the explosives.
Despite the polices success in handling the Jakarta suicide bombing and shooting attack, terror threats loom large over the country as several terrorist groups still have contacts with Muhammad Bahrun Naim Anggih Tamtono.
Bahrun Naim, believed to be the mastermind behind the January 14 assault, is ready to transfer funds to terrorist groups that could launch attacks, he added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
