TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said anti-terrorism law must be revised to support the police’s effort in eradicating terrorism. He said crackdown on terrorists has been hampered by regulations.
For example, there is no prevailing law for a person who has become a member of a terrorist group in Syria when he returns to Indonesia, Badrodin said. “If there is no crime here, then there is no prosecution,” said Badrodin on Monday, January 18, 2016.
On the other hand, in other countries such as Malaysia, those who have an ISIS flag will be punished. “Bringing ISIS flags in Indonesia cannot be prosecuted.”
However, Badrodin said the police are still monitoring people who just returned from conflict-torn countries like Syria. Even if ISIS members from Syria were detained, they would only be subjected to general crime, such as forgery. Moreover, if the law is not strengthened, declaration of support for ISIS is also not prosecutable.
The government plans to revise Law No. 15/2003 on Terrorism Eradication. One of the points that will be revised is about the security forces’ authorities to arrest those who are indicated as terrorists.
FAIZ NASHRILLAH