Medan Bombing; DPR Slams Densus 88, BNPT
Translator
Editor
20 November 2019 20:22 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy head of the Law Commission at the House of Representatives (DPR), Desmond J. Mahesa, slammed the lack of coordination between the National Police and the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) in handling terrorism.
Desmond assessed that the absence of coordination resulted in the recent suicide bombing at Medan Police Headquarters and the stabbing of former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto.
“There is no coordination between the police and BNPT related to terrorism. [The terrorists] are seemed quiet, but then suddenly come out, what is wrong about this?” said Desmond during a hearing meeting with National Police Chief at Parliament Complex, Senayan, Wednesday, November 20.
Such potential terrors, the Gerindra Party politician added, should have been detected since the beginning, and preventive measures must have been taken.
“What is the role of Densus 88 (police’s anti-terrorism squad) and BNPT? How come those incidents were not detected since the beginning. They said the case of Pak Wiranto had been monitored, why did it happen then?” Desmond conveyed his doubts.
Desmond said it was tragic to talk of terrorism, and that the information was only provided by one side, either the police or BNPT. “No comparison. This is the problem,” he remarked.
DPR Law Commission member from PAN faction, Sarifuddin Sudding, even reacted aggressively. He called for the disbandment of BNPT if the institution is incapable of handling terrorism.
DEWI NURITA