Siaran Pers

No. 298/HMS/X/02

Indonesia Issues Two Anti-Terrorism Regulations

President Megawati Soekarnoputri last Friday, October 18, 2002 in Jakarta signed into law two anti-terrorism Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (PERPU).  Making this announcement at a joint press conference was the Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace on the early dawn of Saturday.

As signed by President Soekarnoputri, the Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1/2002, which contains 47 articles, covers categories and investigations into acts of terrorism, and its punishments.  Regulation 1/2002 is considered an umbrella to all other regulations dealing with the elimination of crimes of terrorism. Meanwhile, number 2/2002, which contains two articles, relates to the investigation on the horrendous Bali bombing which killed 184 people.  

These measures are in line with Indonesia’s commitment to combating terrorism as a threat to national and international peace and security.  They are policies and strategic steps intended to strengthen public order and protect society while still upholding the supremacy of law and human rights.

The issuance of the two Regulations is in line with the draft Anti-terrorism bill that had been in the pipeline since 1999 and was finished on October 10, 2002, ready to be delivered to the House of Representatives.   The Justice Minister explained that owing to the bombing tragedy in Bali, the Government had to take swift measures.

President Soekarnoputri said that the two Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (PERPU) would cover extraordinary efforts being carried out by the Government that were outside the Criminal Code (KUHP).  She said that the existing laws in Indonesia had weaknesses in terms of dealing with acts of terrorism and obtaining material verification.

New York, October 21, 2002