TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he would approve if the new Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Gen. Moeldoko, had any desire to form a special TNI anti-terror team.
Aside from the police, he added, the armed forces also have a duty to deal with threats of terrorism. Purnomo said the jurisdiction between the anti-terror squad owned by the police and TNI would be quite clear. For example, if a terrorist act occurs outside the capabilities of the police, or the police require help, then the TNI anti-terror squad will be deployed.
Previously, after being inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, TNI Commander Gen. Moeldoko said he would form a special anti-terror squad, similar to the National Police’s Densus 88 anti-terror squad, to help eradicate terrorism. Moeldoko did not, however, reveal any details about what the team would comprise of.
"I am still thinking about whether the team will be a task force or a combination of the army, navy, air force, that will be able to perform their duty at any time," he said.
INDRA WIJAYA