PRESIDENT CALLS FOR RE-DISCUSSION OF STATE SECRECY BILL

Jakarta, Sept 19 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here Wednesday called for a re-discussion of the state secrecy bill to adjust its substance to its true context so that it would be better understood by the people.

"Lay it (the bill) in its true context. If needed, let us sit together to discuss it again and to make more mature preparation so that when the bill is passed into law, it can serve as a solution to problems in the state and government," the President said.

The head of state made the statement at the opening of a limited cabinet meeting at his office to discuss issues related to the state secrecy bill.

According to the president, more mature discussion of the state secrecy bill was expected to make the people understand its content better after it was passed into law.

"That's the important point. Not because we have limited time and other factors, we force the passing of a new law while in reality we know we still have to make necessary improvements," the president said.

Present at the limited cabinet meeting were National Police Chief Gen Bambang Hendarso Danuri, Communication and Information Minister Muhammad Nuh, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa, Foreign Affairs Minister Wirajuda, Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata, National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso, and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Syamsir Siregar.

On the occasion the president said that in a democratic country like Indonesia, a state secrecy law was needed to regulate the state secret and national stability.

But he added that such a law should not reduce the democratic principles such as human rights enforcement and freedom of expression, the president said.

"But it is totally wrong if on behalf of state secrecy bill, we ignore the principles of good governance and transparency in government management," the head of state said.