TNI'S INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORISM ERADICATION NEEDS GOVT REGULATION

Jakarta, Aug 23 (ANTARA) - The government's decision to involve the Indonesian military (TNI) in terrorism eradication deserved praise, but needed a special Government Regulation, a legislator said.

"TNI's involvement in terrorism eradication is a legal measure and deserved praise, especially that terrorism is a real threat the overall life of the people and the state," Deputy Chairman of Commission I on defence of the House of Representatives Yusron Ihza Mahendra said Jakarta Sunday.

The legal basis of this involvement, he said, is clear, namely Law No 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian Military (TNI).

"Article 7 of the law clearly stated that the main task of TNI are twofold, namely military operation for war, and military operation for purposes other than war," Yusron, who obtained a doctorate from the University of Tsukuba in Japan said.

With regard to military operations, he added, besides war, the law also referred to operations against terrorists.

"But to enable the TNI to play a more effective role in combatting terrorism, the government needs to immediately issue a Government Regulation for a more detailed and comprehensive description of the law," he said.