"Now, we have to utilize all our resources to fight terrorism, which has become a global enemy. The law also regulates the role of the TNI in the handling of terrorism," Luhut said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan believes that the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) should be involved in the fight against terrorism in the country.

The minister made the remarks on Wednesday in response to inputs from several parties on the revision of Law No. 15 of 2003 on the elimination of terrorism according to which the TNI should not unduly intervene in counterterrorism affairs.

"Now, we have to utilize all our resources to fight terrorism, which has become a global enemy. The law also regulates the role of the TNI in the handling of terrorism," Minister Luhut stated during a coffee session with media editors at his office on Wednesday morning.

Luhut remarked that several parties were opposing the TNIs greater involvement in fighting terrorism owing to fears that its authority would increase similar to what has occurred during the era of the New Order government.

"We should not harbor fears that the TNI would return to power like in the past. I think this view is outdated," the coordinating minister affirmed.

Luhut hoped that following the passage of the Bill on Anti-Terrorism, whose debate is expected to be completed next month, the TNI will play a role in assisting the police to handle and prevent terrorism.

Seconding Luhuts view, Hanafi Rais, deputy chairman of the Special Committee of the Bill on Anti-Terrorism, emphasized that the people should welcome the joint participation of the TNI and the National Police (Polri) in the fight against terrorism.

The minister pointed out that the TNI had capabilities that the Polri lacked. However, the TNI should not automatically play a dominant role in the efforts to eliminate terrorism.

"The proportional role of the TNI in the fight against terrorism in the TNI Law is clear, which is to crush terrorism. When terrorism is threatening the nations sovereignty, the TNI should be at the forefront while playing its role," Rais emphasized.

Rais said the TNI has played a proportional role in combating terrorism, such as through its participation, so far, in the Polri-TNI joint force under the Densus 88 Anti-terror Detachment.

"If the TNI is involved, and it is considered as an abuse of power, then the Densus 88 Anti-terror squad has already committed it. Hence, we have to view it objectively," he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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