TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fadli Zon has said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo does not need to issue a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to handle terrorism since the revised anti-terrorism law is almost completed.

“The law could have been ratified during the last meeting, but the government seemed to be stalling it,” said Fadli Zon at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, today.

Fadli Zon seemed perplexed by the government’s plans to issue a Perppu during the formation of the Terrorism Law, considering it was only possible during urgency. He further said there was no void in the country’s legal protection since the Anti-terrorism Law has been adopted since 2003.

“A legal umbrella already exists, it’s just the government demands more power,” said Fadli Zon.

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However, Fadli Zon allowed the government through President Jokowi to issue a Perppu since the government is authorized to do that. “But don’t act as if the Law has failed to overcome the problem and is to blame. The Anti-terrorism Law already exists,” he explained.

He also claimed that the attack on the Surabaya Police Mobile Brigade HQ was not related to the Anti-terrorism Law, “Don’t divert the issue,” said Fadli Zon.

Previously, President Jokowi urged the House to quickly ratify the revised law on terrorism in the House's next session. Jokowi said discussions on the matter had lasted for far too long. “This is a vital legal protection for the Indonesian authorities and police in the prevention and handling of acts of terrorism,” said Jokowi.

CAESAR AKBAR