President Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia is set to issue a decree today that will enhance police powers to suppress terrorists following a bomb explosion at a nightclub on Bali Island, which left over 180 dead. This decree is expected to grant greater authority to detain suspects without charges and to wiretap phone conversations for the police and military. Currently, Indonesian police have ordered Abu Bakar Bashir, the leader of an extremist Islamic group believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda, to present himself for questioning, although he claims he is not a suspect. On Thursday, President Bush called the Indonesian president and stated that the U.S. supports her efforts to find and punish those responsible for the bombing.
Decree to Increase Police Power to Suppress Terrorists in Indonesia - 2002-10-18
In response to a deadly bombing in Bali, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri is set to enhance police powers to combat terrorism. The decree will allow for the detention of suspects without charges and wiretapping. U.S. President Bush has expressed support for Indonesia's efforts to address the situation.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
In response to a deadly bombing in Bali, President Megawati Sukarnoputri is enhancing police powers to combat terrorism by allowing detentions without charges and wiretapping. This follows a significant loss of life in the attack, prompting urgent government action.
- The Bali bombing resulted in over 180 fatalities.
- The new decree will allow police and military to detain suspects without charges and conduct wiretaps.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Indonesia has faced challenges with terrorism, particularly from extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda, making this decree a critical step in addressing national security.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%