The BIN has already acknowledged the presence of a terror network in Indonesia, Sutiyoso said, but the institution could not arrest the suspect as a precautionary measure since it had no authority to take such steps.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian governments travel advisory related to the terror threat issued to its citizens who were or had planned to visit Indonesia was not new, State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Chief Sutiyoso stated here on Monday.

Sutiyoso asserted that the BIN had adopted a more understanding approach with regard to the terror threat rather than the warning issued by the Australian government.

The BIN has already acknowledged the presence of a terror network in Indonesia, he said, but the institution could not arrest the suspect as a precautionary measure since it had no authority to take such steps.

"As stipulated in Law No. 15 of 2003 on the Eradication of Terrorism, the BIN does not have the authority to arrest suspected terrorists," Sutiyoso explained.

Therefore, Sutiyoso believes that the Terrorism Law should be revised to empower the BIN to arrest suspected terrorists.

Earlier, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a travel advisory to Australians who were living in Indonesia or were planning to visit the country.

According to the travel advice posted on the site of smartraveller.gov.au, last Thursday, Indonesia was classified in "high degree of caution" level.

"Recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of orchestrating attacks in Indonesia. The overall level of advice has not changed. We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali," as revealed in the statement.

It also stated that the Australian government had continued to receive information indicating that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia. The attack could occur anywhere at any time, and the people need to be particularly vigilant in places of worship and during significant holiday periods.

Regarding such terror indications, Australians were required to exercise particular caution around locations that have low security cover and places known to be possible targets of terror attacks. Terrorists had previously targeted nightclubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, international hotels, airports, and places of worship in Bali, Jakarta, and elsewhere in Indonesia.

Besides urging its citizens to remain vigilant in Jakarta and Bali, the Australian government also advised them to reconsider their travel plans to visit the provinces of Central Sulawesi, Papua, and West Papua, where additional safety and security risks exist.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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