President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday hit back at critics of his decision to give the Armed Forces an increased role in fighting terrorism, saying the move was not counter to the country’s principles of democracy. Although the National Police by law have primary responsibility for counterterrorism operations, Yudhoyono, speaking after receiving an Honor Command medal from the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) in Jakarta, said that Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian Military stipulated that the military could also take part. He said that in times of peace, the military was required to stop antiseparatist movements, armed rebellions and terrorism. “So if someone says that military involvement in counterterrorism efforts decreases our democracy, I can’t understand that. I think it’s the wrong perception,” Yudhoyono said. “It’s the law that recognizes the military’s role in counterterrorism.” He said that while the National Police force still headed counterterrorism efforts, the Armed Forces needed to be involved to handle certain unique challenges posed by the threat of terrorism. Following the twin suicide bombings at Jakarta’s JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels last month, Yudhoyono ordered the military to deploy 40,000 personnel across the nation to monitor village-level activity and prevent more attacks. The military also plans to establish counterterrorism desks in all of its regional command centers. National Police officials have not publicly complained about the increased military involvement and have been coordinating with the Armed Forces on operations. Still, some nongovernmental organizations are skeptical about involving the armed forces in the antiterror fight, saying it would mix the roles of the military and police. An Armed Forces spokesman countered by saying the criticism was partly fueled by fears that the military would revert back to its role as state-sanctioned oppressor during the Suharto regime. Yudhoyono didn’t dismiss his critics, however, urging the military to prevent repeating past human rights violations. He specifically named the shootings of thousands of alleged gang members in the 1980s, as well as the murder of prominent human rights activist Munir Said Thalib in 2004. Retired Army Gen. Muchdi Purwoprandjono, a former commander of Kopassus, was tried and acquitted for Munir’s murder earlier this year. “We must all work together, and find the meeting point between law enforcement, national sovereignty and democratization,” Yudhoyono said. Jaleswari Pramowardhani, a military analyst at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said that while the Armed Forces had the legal authority to take part in counterterrorism operations, “we must also admit that military involvement could limit space for public activities.” Andi Widjajanto, another analyst, said Yudhoyono should end public unease by issuing a presidential decree to give political cover for military involvement in fighting terrorism. “A political decision must be issued,” Andi said.
