James Balowski, Jakarta
After criticisms that intelligence agencies had failed to prevent a May 28 deadly bomb blast at a crowded market in central Sulawesi, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered regional governments to revive the Regional Intelligence Coordinating Body (Bakorinda) — a network of intelligence offices used to quell dissent to the Suharto dictatorship.
Although a number of suspects have been arrested for the bomb attack, it remains unclear whether it was the work of Islamic militants or linked with attempts by local government officials to divert attention from a corruption scandal involving humanitarian assistance for refugees.
Local officials have also hinted that the bombing could have been politically motivated to justify a strong military presence in the area. Central Sulawesi has been dogged by violence between Christians and Muslims that has left more than 1000 dead.
The plan to revive Bakorinda — which was mooted after the October 2002 Bali bombings — was first proposed by the home affairs minister Muhammad Ma'ruf. Ma'ruf said Bakorinda would synchronise the anti-terror efforts of the military, police and judiciary in all parts of Indonesia.
The agency will be supported by provincial "terror desks". These desks may be placed under the authority of governors who will have access to intelligence reports from the police, the military and the National Intelligence Agency (BIN). The governors will be responsible for coordinating the security authorities and will report any "suspicious" activity directly to the president.
Following a June 7 cabinet meeting on June 7, coordinating minister for security and political affairs Widodo AS, claimed that the new agency was need to bridge the current lack of coordination. "The central government cannot handle the fight against terrorism by itself. Provincial administrations must also play a role in this in order for the effort to be effective, since Indonesia is a vast country that needs comprehensive monitoring", he said.
Widodo refused to comment on whether the agency would have the authority to detain or investigate suspects, saying they had not yet worked out those details.
Bakorinda was scrapped following the fall of Suharto in 1998. It was used to monitor public activities, particularly any activity seen as having the potential to undermine the government.
Not surprisingly, TNI (armed forces) chief General Endriartono Sutarto was quick to give his blessing to the plan. Responding to fears that it would return Indonesia to its repressive past, he said, "Which do you prefer, having such fears or losing lives?"
The public concern at the plan is reflected in some parliamentarians. "I'm suspicious of the initiator of such a plan because he is trying to revive the past repressive and anti-democratic government by using the issue of terrorism", Bisnis Indonesia quoted Djoko Susilo from the National Mandate Party (PAN) as saying.
Muhaimin Iskandar, also from PAN, said it would only bring back an authoritarian regime to the country. "The acts of terrorism only happen in certain regions. They don't take place throughout the country, so the plan to revive Bakorinda and link it to the issue of terrorism is not relevant".
The public's concern isn't surprising. Many are still traumatised by their past experiences of the network. Recent revelations that agencies such as BIN have been printing counterfeit money and were involved in the murder of renowned human-rights activist Munir have done little to boost public confidence.
In its June 13 editorial, the Jakarta Post said it sensed a "cringing and skepticism" from the public. As to assurances that the public has nothing to fear the paper wrote "But frightened and concerned we are; given the track record of our intelligence authorities who have proved their skill in capturing suspected political dissidents, all while the masterminds of the bombing of Bali, the Marriott, the Australian Embassy, etc, ad nauseum, remain at large and continue to pose a fatal threat".
The editorial went on to argue for more coordination: "Unwillingness to share information among related authorities is an appalling legacy among the officials, in whom we must entrust our very lives".
Rights campaigners fear that security forces will misuse it. "It sounds scary", Agung Yudhawiranata from the rights group Elsam told Associated Press. "We worry that the Suharto era has returned and that the agency will use the pretext of fighting terrorism to violate individuals' rights. It's a step backward in our efforts to limit the powers of the police and military".
From Green Left Weekly, July 6, 2005.
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