To close for comfort? BNPT wary of military’s proposed counterterrorism role

The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has said it welcomes the government’s plan to allow the Indonesian Military (TNI) to involve itself in the country’s fight against terrorism but has warned that the military must abide by the Terrorism Law, which requires it to maintain a “coordinating role” in such efforts. BNPT law enforcement deputy head Eddy Hartono said the TNI should engage in counterterrorism in a way that aligned with its functions and duties according to the 2004 TNI Law. The law gives the military the authority to ward off threats to the country’s sovereignty and restore security after a security disturbance. Eddy expressed his hope that the TNI would not challenge the BNPT’s authority as the sole body responsible for the coordination of law enforcement agencies in counterterrorism efforts, as stipulated in the 2018 Terrori…