After nine months of debates and discussions with top government officials, last Tuesday the House of Representatives finally decided to accept the Intelligence Bill.
According to the news media the House's said decision was protested by some human rights and liberal democratic activists, who said that the new Intelligence Law would endanger democracy in general, and limit freedom of expression in particular.
One of the things they objected is the right to wiretap phone calls, which they thought might be abused by the intelligence agencies especially the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
Due to this fact, activists groups like the Indonesian Corruption Watch, Legal Aid Foundation, Kontras, Impartial, Elsam and other NGO planned to request the Constitutional Court to conduct a Judicial Review on Articles 25 and 26 of the said Law regarding Secret Intelligence Information including the criteria of State Security and Defense, Natural Treasure, National Economic Resilience, and Foreign Policy Interest.
As a lover of democracy, I felt that the new Intelligence Law would surely limit people's freedom therefore its implementations should be closely observe by the society so as to avoid any abuse of power.
However, as a peace loving citizen, I believe that our country, which still has so many poor people, can only develop properly if peace and order exist, if there is no acts of terrors, violence and bombings. And that can only be achieved if there is strong law enforcement that is balanced with citizen's freedom to think, speak and act on whatever is good for the people and country.
Considering the above, I felt that as long as the implementation is according to the laws and regulations, it is okay to give certain power to the intelligence agency. For example said Law ruled that wire taping can only be done if there is permit from the Court of Law.
Showing posts with label Intelligence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Intelligence. Show all posts
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Roots of Terrorism
Today the National Police announced the identity of terrorist who blew himself at the Church in Solo, Central Java, last Sunday i.e Pino Damayanto a.k.a Ahmad Yosepa Hayat (31) who was wanted by the Police for his involvement in the suicide bombing at the Police mosque in Cirebon, West Java, last April.
The mass media reported that Ahmad Yosepa and three others were prepared by the Cirebon Terrorist group to carry out suicide bombings.
As a normal human being, I strongly believe that normal human beings would never want to kill themselves and other people for decent reasons.
People who commit suicide to kill others are either frustrated or suffer mental depression or politically or religiously fanatic because of the situation and condition in their lives. Or, alternatively, they are brainwashed or hypnotized by other people who has the power to do so.
All of which can be caused by poverty, lack of education, lack of jobs, injustices, corruption, ugly political condition, etc.
Considering the above, I felt that terrorism cannot be eliminated just by eliminating people who are allegedly involved in any acts of terrorism like urging people to take illegal actions against other people who have different ideology or religion, and/or campaigning illegal actions to the society for example through the internet
Terrorism cannot also be eliminated by merely giving extra-power to the intelligence agencies whose ability and seriousness to detect acts of terror is under question. This is proven from the fact that the Solo bomb exploded just 5 months after the suicide bomb at the Police mosque in Cirebon, although the Police has issued a wanted persons list.
This can also be seen from the fact that violent organizations and website that advocate radical actions like arrahmah.com were allowed to exist.
The best way to eliminate terrorism would be by eliminating all the things that causes terrorism i.e. provide enough job, decent and inexpensive housing, schools, eliminating corruption, fair business competition, decent political practices, law enforcement based on equality before the laws, presumption of innocence and respect of human rights.
The mass media reported that Ahmad Yosepa and three others were prepared by the Cirebon Terrorist group to carry out suicide bombings.
As a normal human being, I strongly believe that normal human beings would never want to kill themselves and other people for decent reasons.
People who commit suicide to kill others are either frustrated or suffer mental depression or politically or religiously fanatic because of the situation and condition in their lives. Or, alternatively, they are brainwashed or hypnotized by other people who has the power to do so.
All of which can be caused by poverty, lack of education, lack of jobs, injustices, corruption, ugly political condition, etc.
Considering the above, I felt that terrorism cannot be eliminated just by eliminating people who are allegedly involved in any acts of terrorism like urging people to take illegal actions against other people who have different ideology or religion, and/or campaigning illegal actions to the society for example through the internet
Terrorism cannot also be eliminated by merely giving extra-power to the intelligence agencies whose ability and seriousness to detect acts of terror is under question. This is proven from the fact that the Solo bomb exploded just 5 months after the suicide bomb at the Police mosque in Cirebon, although the Police has issued a wanted persons list.
This can also be seen from the fact that violent organizations and website that advocate radical actions like arrahmah.com were allowed to exist.
The best way to eliminate terrorism would be by eliminating all the things that causes terrorism i.e. provide enough job, decent and inexpensive housing, schools, eliminating corruption, fair business competition, decent political practices, law enforcement based on equality before the laws, presumption of innocence and respect of human rights.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Who Should be Responsible for the Solo Bombing?
A man killed himself by blowing a bomb he carried with him at the Kepunton Church in Solo, Central Java, 10.45 a.m today, injuring 19 others.
In this regards I would like to express my deepest sympathy to those who have been hit by the bomb.
President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) condemned the bombing, saying that it is the work of the Cirebon Terrorist Group whose member blew a bomb at a mosque in Cirebon, West Java, killing himself and injuring a Police officer on 15 April 2011.
The President also said that preventive and proactive actions shall be taken to find out about this bombing incident.
Further, an internal investigation on the Police, Intelligence and Military units, especially those in Central Java, shall be carried out to find out whether they have coordinated well to prevent terrorist action.
Furthermore, he said that this bombing proves that what he has often warned about terrorists threat is real, not just a make-believe.
I hope that an overall investigation will be conducted immediately to find out who is the suicide bomber, the people behind him and what is the motive, why can it happen ? why can't our intelligence detect it ?
In this regards I would like to express my deepest sympathy to those who have been hit by the bomb.
President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) condemned the bombing, saying that it is the work of the Cirebon Terrorist Group whose member blew a bomb at a mosque in Cirebon, West Java, killing himself and injuring a Police officer on 15 April 2011.
The President also said that preventive and proactive actions shall be taken to find out about this bombing incident.
Further, an internal investigation on the Police, Intelligence and Military units, especially those in Central Java, shall be carried out to find out whether they have coordinated well to prevent terrorist action.
Furthermore, he said that this bombing proves that what he has often warned about terrorists threat is real, not just a make-believe.
I hope that an overall investigation will be conducted immediately to find out who is the suicide bomber, the people behind him and what is the motive, why can it happen ? why can't our intelligence detect it ?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Communist and Heroes Cemetery
(Ret) Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Heru Atmodjo has been declared as an Independence Fighter by the Indonesian government, so when he died last January, he was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
However, on 27 March his grave was silently removed to another cemetery.
MetroTV quoted the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Admiral Agus Suhartono as saying that the grave was removed because Heru Atmodjo was not eligible to be buried at the Heroes Cemetery. However he refused to explain what was the reason for the removal..
The most possible reason was because some people in Surabaya, East Java, have alleged that he was part of the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) therefore they demanded the removal.
According to VivaNews, Heru Atmodjo was the Assistant Director of the Air Force Intelligence Agency when the PKI rebelled on 30 September 1965, and he was accused of participating in the rebellion.
Because of this reason, the Military Extraordinary Tribunal (Mahmilub) has sentenced him to life in jail but later on they reduced it to 15 years in jail.
One of those who accused Heru Atmodjo a Communist was Prof.Dr. Coen Holtzappel, a researcher at the Leiden University, Netherlands, who said that the 1965 Communist Rebellion was an intelligence operation carried out by the Air Force Intelligence headed by Heru Atmodjo.
The grave removal was protested by a member of the House of Representatives who said that it was illegal because Heru Atmodjo has been declared a Hero, therefore eligible to be buried at the Heroes Cemetery.
This incident makes me wonder whether or not the authorities would remove the grave of other Heroes who were alleged of Corruption.
However, on 27 March his grave was silently removed to another cemetery.
MetroTV quoted the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Admiral Agus Suhartono as saying that the grave was removed because Heru Atmodjo was not eligible to be buried at the Heroes Cemetery. However he refused to explain what was the reason for the removal..
The most possible reason was because some people in Surabaya, East Java, have alleged that he was part of the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) therefore they demanded the removal.
According to VivaNews, Heru Atmodjo was the Assistant Director of the Air Force Intelligence Agency when the PKI rebelled on 30 September 1965, and he was accused of participating in the rebellion.
Because of this reason, the Military Extraordinary Tribunal (Mahmilub) has sentenced him to life in jail but later on they reduced it to 15 years in jail.
One of those who accused Heru Atmodjo a Communist was Prof.Dr. Coen Holtzappel, a researcher at the Leiden University, Netherlands, who said that the 1965 Communist Rebellion was an intelligence operation carried out by the Air Force Intelligence headed by Heru Atmodjo.
The grave removal was protested by a member of the House of Representatives who said that it was illegal because Heru Atmodjo has been declared a Hero, therefore eligible to be buried at the Heroes Cemetery.
This incident makes me wonder whether or not the authorities would remove the grave of other Heroes who were alleged of Corruption.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Please Protect Us
Yesterday, President SBY called on Indonesians not to rely on the Police and asked us to help fight extremism.
The Jakarta Globe quoted the President as saying that Indonesia is now facing a continuous and serious threat in terrorism and in horizontal violence.
Horizontal violence, a term often used in reference to student bullying, refers to abuse or aggression by individuals on their peers around them.
I hope that the President has instructed the intelligence networks, especially the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to improve their performance in monitoring and detecting any kinds of activities that might pose a threat to our national security, such as the so called Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement, those who spread Book Bombs, those who plan any kinds of violence, and other acts of crimes.
Moreover, I also hope that the President has instructed the Police to improve their performance in serving and protecting the society.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Intelligence Bill
The House of Representatives is currently working with the government on the Intelligence Bill :
According to Detik News, there are 12 crucial matters in this Bill :
- Definition of Intelligence
- Eavesdropping/phone tapping
- Secret Intelligence Information
- The right intelligence agency to arrest suspects
- The creation of an Intelligence Coordinating Agency to coordinate intelligence network
- Supervision of Intelligence agency
- Organization and Functions of intelligence agency : foreign, domestic, military, law enforcement
- The Structure and Position of intelligence agency
- Personnel and Recruitment
- Codes of Ethics and Prohibitions
- Demilitarization of the Intelligence agency
- The rights of victims of Intelligence agency
According to The Jakarta Globe, the government has insisted that the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) should be given the authority to arrest suspected terrorists before they attack, as well as other people suspected of espionage and subversion.
Some lawmakers and NGO refused to give authorities to arrest and eavesdrop, because they feared that such authority might be abused. Recent release of the Wikileaks alleged that President SBY has used intelligence agency to spy on his political rivals, but was denied by the President and government officials.
According to Detik News, there are 12 crucial matters in this Bill :
- Definition of Intelligence
- Eavesdropping/phone tapping
- Secret Intelligence Information
- The right intelligence agency to arrest suspects
- The creation of an Intelligence Coordinating Agency to coordinate intelligence network
- Supervision of Intelligence agency
- Organization and Functions of intelligence agency : foreign, domestic, military, law enforcement
- The Structure and Position of intelligence agency
- Personnel and Recruitment
- Codes of Ethics and Prohibitions
- Demilitarization of the Intelligence agency
- The rights of victims of Intelligence agency
According to The Jakarta Globe, the government has insisted that the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) should be given the authority to arrest suspected terrorists before they attack, as well as other people suspected of espionage and subversion.
Some lawmakers and NGO refused to give authorities to arrest and eavesdrop, because they feared that such authority might be abused. Recent release of the Wikileaks alleged that President SBY has used intelligence agency to spy on his political rivals, but was denied by the President and government officials.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Spying on Facebook and Twitter
A few months ago, Twitter micro-blog and Facebook social network have enabled millions of people in Tunisia and Egypt to communicate, coordinate and document protests against their governments which in the end forced their authoritarian presidents to step down from power.
Now Twitter and Facebook are playing similar roles in other countries in the Middle East like Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and perhaps in other parts of the world.
Due to the above mentioned facts our Defense Minister Purnomo once told reporters that Twitter has the potential to be a non military threat to our national security.
According to OkeZone, the Chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Sutanto said last Tuesday that his agency has been monitoring Facebook and Twitter to look for dangerous and subversive activities. In this case BIN will coordinate with the Minister of Communication and Information who will take necessary action.
Sutanto added that BIN will not take direct action but it will give early warnings to government institutions so that they can function well.
I hope that beside spying on Facebook and Twitter, BIN will also be monitoring very closely other dangerous activities which have been terrorizing our society lately i.e. the spread of so many bomb packages in many parts of Indonesia.
Now Twitter and Facebook are playing similar roles in other countries in the Middle East like Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and perhaps in other parts of the world.
Due to the above mentioned facts our Defense Minister Purnomo once told reporters that Twitter has the potential to be a non military threat to our national security.
According to OkeZone, the Chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Sutanto said last Tuesday that his agency has been monitoring Facebook and Twitter to look for dangerous and subversive activities. In this case BIN will coordinate with the Minister of Communication and Information who will take necessary action.
Sutanto added that BIN will not take direct action but it will give early warnings to government institutions so that they can function well.
I hope that beside spying on Facebook and Twitter, BIN will also be monitoring very closely other dangerous activities which have been terrorizing our society lately i.e. the spread of so many bomb packages in many parts of Indonesia.
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Misterious Book Bomb
On 15 March 2011 three book-bomb packages were sent to moderate Muslim activist and member of President SBY's Democrat Party Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Chairman of the National Narcotics Agency Comm Gen. Gories Mere, and Head if Pancasila Youth Yapto Soeryosumarno.
Since then, many other book-bomb packages were sent to other people including musician Dhani Ahmad and Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Taufik Kurniawan.
The first bomb which was sent to Ulil exploded when a Police officer tried to detonate it, causing him to lose his hand. This happened because the Police Bomb Squad came to the place only three hours after they were called.
The Police has questioned several people but no suspect has been named until now.
No clear message explaining about the purpose of sending those bombs have been mentioned, therefore one can only predict. Ulil predicted that the motive of the person sending bomb to him was politics, in line with his position at the Democrat Party.
While intelligence observer Soeripto thought that the book bomb packages were the works of people from the intelligence circle. It can either be done by the intelligence agency or it individual members.
Considering that people are beginning to think that the bombs were part of scenario to divert public attention from the things that's been happening lately, like the Wikileaks report about President SBY, his wife and top officials, I hope that the Police would soon finalize their investigation on this case and find those responsible.
Since then, many other book-bomb packages were sent to other people including musician Dhani Ahmad and Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Taufik Kurniawan.
The first bomb which was sent to Ulil exploded when a Police officer tried to detonate it, causing him to lose his hand. This happened because the Police Bomb Squad came to the place only three hours after they were called.
The Police has questioned several people but no suspect has been named until now.
No clear message explaining about the purpose of sending those bombs have been mentioned, therefore one can only predict. Ulil predicted that the motive of the person sending bomb to him was politics, in line with his position at the Democrat Party.
While intelligence observer Soeripto thought that the book bomb packages were the works of people from the intelligence circle. It can either be done by the intelligence agency or it individual members.
Considering that people are beginning to think that the bombs were part of scenario to divert public attention from the things that's been happening lately, like the Wikileaks report about President SBY, his wife and top officials, I hope that the Police would soon finalize their investigation on this case and find those responsible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)