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Indonesia president seeks terror law review

Tuesday, 19 January 2016 2:08 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 19 January 2016 5:17 PM ]

In this handout photograph released and taken by the Presidential Palace on January 15, 2016, Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks to journalists in Jakarta. (AFP Photo)

Indonesia is considering a regulation that would prohibit its citizens from joining the ranks of Takfiri terrorist groups operating in conflict-ridden Iraq and Syria.

President Joko Widodo, addressing a high-level security meeting on Tuesday, called for amendments to the country's anti-terrorism law after Daesh-linked attackers struck last week at the heart of Jakarta, the capital of the most populated Muslim country, killing eight.

The president highlighted the urgency of the adoption of a clear policy and laws banning the return of militants from conflict regions.

Senior officials in Jakarta believe that roughly 500 Indonesians have traveled to the Middle East region to join the Takfiri Daesh terrorists and other militant groups. Nearly 100 are believed to have returned to the Southeast Asian country in recent months.

Responding to the president's call, Indonesia’s parliamentary speaker Zulkifli Hasan said planned amendments to the law are likely to be approved by lawmakers as all major political factions have voiced support for the proposals.

"We've agreed to review the terrorism law to focus on prevention," Hasan said, adding, "Currently there is nothing in the law covering training. There is also nothing currently covering people going overseas (to join radical groups) and returning. This needs to be broadened."

The parliamentary speaker added that prison sentences are to be toughened for terrorism-related offences.

Indonesia's law enforcement agencies argue that current laws to combat militancy, put in place in 2003, are inadequate.

Indonesian police secure the wharf used for ferries to Sabang island, a popular destination for local and foreign tourists, in Banda Aceh on Sumatra island on January 16, 2016. (AFP photo)

Indonesian national police chief Badrodin earlier admitted that security forces have limited power to confront militancy. “We can detect, but we can’t take action before any crime is committed. That is the weakness of our regulations. For example, if there are those who came back home from Syria after joining IS (Daesh), there is no proof of their crime and we can’t take action against them.”

In December last year, the intelligence consultancy, Soufan Group, said in a report that between 27,000 and 31,000 foreigners from some 86 countries had joined Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Daesh terrorists have repeatedly called on the group’s members to carry out attacks in their home countries.

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